Social Responsibility
Karachaganak: Partnership and Development is the Main Priority
High-quality work distinguishes all Karachaganak Petroleum Operating B.V activity areas at the global standards level. This is a strict requirement both in production and in the social sphere.
The implementation of social and infrastructure projects aimed at improving the quality of life is included in the obligations stipulated by the Final Production Sharing Agreement of the Karachaganak field. KPO has been making a significant contribution to the social development of the Cis-Urals region since 1998. What exactly, when, and where to build is decided jointly with the region's leadership and with the approval of the local representative body of the West Kazakhstan region. This allows choosing the most needed projects jointly. That is, demand generates supply.
This work is also being carried out in relevant areas this year. It is generally recognized that Uralsk is the western gateway of the country. Therefore, transport and logistics development is of particular importance for the region. From these positions, the issue of the Oral International Airport reconstruction was considered. The building, built back in the seventies of the last century, is outdated in all respects. In addition, in 2014-2015, the runway reconstruction was carried out, designed to receive modern aircraft of all types. Therefore, the reconstruction of the airport terminal is a continuation of a comprehensive project.
Karachaganak Petroleum Operating B.V. allocated the funds, acting as the ordering customer of construction and installation works. The building area was increased, and the terminal was made in a modern design. Technical equipment meets international standards. Much attention is paid to aviation security issues. There are also customs, border, sanitary and quarantine services, an information center and a medical center, separate halls for domestic and international flights. Now the facility is almost ready for commissioning. The capacity of the new airport is designed for 200 passengers per hour, and the annual volume of air traffic is 400 thousand passengers.
Another significant social object of the KPO, directly related to the transport and logistics sphere, is the construction of a road with a bridge crossing over the Chagan River to Uralsk's new Akzhaiyk microdistrict. Earlier, by order of the Company, the bridge structures running over the railway tracks in the regional center and the bridge connecting Uralsk with the suburban Derkul microdistrict have already been reconstructed. It means that KPO has experience in the reconstruction and construction of bridges, which will be useful in constructing a new strategically important object.
The same can be said about the construction of secondary schools. Educational facilities are also among the main priorities in the social partnership program. The Company will participate in the construction of several small schools in the region's districts. Thus, high-quality and comfortable conditions for teaching children are created in the regions. KPO has proved that in the schools built by the Company, everything is provided for obtaining high-quality knowledge and leisure activities. We remind that in the Paryz award for social responsibility of business, the Company was awarded a silver award in the "Best Social Project" nomination. Such a high rating was awarded to the school built in Uralsk.
It is well known that the disease is easier to prevent than cure. Therefore, a lot of attention is paid to the construction of sports and recreation centers (SRC) in the social plan of KPO. In the Cis-Urals, the task is to create SRCs in all region districts. Karachaganak investors take an active part in this extensive and responsible work. Currently, the construction of six such facilities has been completed in various districts of the region, and one children's and youth sports school has been built in Uralsk. Work in this field continues. In addition to the hall for game sports, all sports buildings have facilities for fitness equipment training, strength sports training, and playgrounds with turnstiles and treadmills will be located next to the SRCs.
KPO does not remain uninvolved in solving such an essential problem as housing provision. The plan of social projects includes the construction of multi-story residential buildings in Uralsk. In the microdistricts under construction, the Company also participates in landscaping works.
It is also important that only Kazakhstani construction companies are involved in the implementation of social projects, many of which are registered in the West Kazakhstan region. When choosing contractors, KPO adheres to the principles of supporting local producers and increasing local content. Partnerships are maintained with construction companies, which develop in the spirit of mutual understanding.
High quality is an indispensable requirement. It must be observed both in the design process and execution of the works. The materials' quality is monitored, and preference is again given to Kazakhstani products. Builders consider cooperation with KPO a real school of skill. Control by the customer is carried out constantly. Together with the design and technical supervision experts, its representatives are present at the construction sites, allowing solving all emerging problems in a timely and efficient manner.
To meet the high requirements regarding quality parameters and safety, continuous professional development is necessary. True craftsmanship, of course, increases competitiveness and allows Kazakhstani builders to count on uninterrupted work. Therefore, cooperation with KPO is considered so prestigious and promising.
One of the most prestigious awards of the Republic of Kazakhstan – the Paryz award for social responsibility of business – has been awarded to Karachaganak Petroleum Operating B.V. several times in various nominations. And last year, for the first time, it was awarded the Grand Prix of the competition, which is a recognition of the high achievements of the Karachaganak project participants. It is estimated that the total amount of KPO investments in the development of the region's social infrastructure exceeds 454 million US dollars. Within this financing framework, more than 220 social and infrastructure projects were implemented in all districts of the West Kazakhstan region.