Petrochemistry and oil refining

A New Growth Point

#3 (153), July 2025 special issueA New Growth Point

By July 1, 2025, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of National Economy, together with the Ministries of Energy, Industry, and Construction, will submit to the government specific proposals on tax and customs incentives for projects in the chemical and oil and gas chemical industries. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov issued this directive following a special meeting on industry development held in Astana in early May.

Modernization of Kazakhstan❜s Refineries: Capacity Expansion or Construction of a New Plant?

#3 (153), July 2025 special issueModernization of Kazakhstan❜s Refineries: Capacity Expansion or Construction of a New Plant?

Kazakhstan is one of the world’s major oil producers (approximately 90 mln tons per year), yet ensuring a stable domestic supply of petroleum products is becoming an increasingly complex challenge. The country’s three operating oil refineries — Atyrau Refinery (ANPZ), Pavlodar Petrochemical Plant (PNHZ), and Shymkent Refinery (PKOP) — have nearly reached their design limits following the modernization program carried out between 2009 and 2018, and they no longer meet the growing demand.

Overview of the Retail Fuel Market in Kazakhstan

#3 (153), July 2025 special issueOverview of the Retail Fuel Market in Kazakhstan

Key indicators of Kazakhstan’s retail fuel market: There are 3,300 filling stations in the country, 36% of which are owned by the 10 largest chains. These networks account for approximately 83% of all gasoline and diesel sales nationwide. These are the findings from the EY report “Overview of Kazakhstan’s Retail Fuel Market.” We present our readers with this report's key figures, facts, and conclusions.

The Working Professional: An Inside Look at Key Oil Production Trades

#3 (153), July 2025 special issueThe Working Professional: An Inside Look at Key Oil Production Trades

This year has been declared the Year of Skilled Trades in Kazakhstan. Indeed, workers stationed at drilling rigs and metallurgical furnaces, in the control rooms of refineries and thermal power plants, play a pivotal role in the nation’s economy. Demand for highly qualified and motivated specialists in skilled trades continues to rise steadily across the country. Elements of digitalization, artificial intelligence, and automation are actively being introduced into technical competencies. Yet, just as in decades past, to be a working professional is still a title of pride.

KazMunayGas Aims to Produce SAF in Kazakhstan Agreement Reached with Partners on Feasibility Study Development

#3 (153), July 2025 special issueKazMunayGas Aims to Produce SAF in Kazakhstan Agreement Reached with Partners on Feasibility Study Development

A subsidiary of KazMunayGas – KazMunayGas-Aero LLP, the American company LanzaJet, and the Kazakh agro-industrial holding KazFoodProducts have signed an agreement to develop a feasibility study for a project to build a plant for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Kazakhstan. The document is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Sulfuric Acid as a Pillar of Technological Sovereignty. Why Kazakhstan Needs a New Plant in Taiqonyr

#3 (153), July 2025 special issueSulfuric Acid as a Pillar of Technological Sovereignty. Why Kazakhstan Needs a New Plant in Taiqonyr

In recent years, Kazakhstan has faced repeated criticism regarding an allegedly excessive production of sulfuric acid. However, upon closer examination, it becomes evident that the country lacks a surplus of this strategically vital product and requires stable sources of high-purity industrial-grade sulfuric acid, particularly in light of increasing volumes of uranium extraction by in-situ leaching (ISL).

Experts from the Eurasian Development Bank Suggest Focusing on Small-Scale Chemistry

#3 (147), June 2024 special issueExperts from the Eurasian Development Bank Suggest Focusing on Small-Scale Chemistry

The Eurasian region can improve its position in the international division of labor. Currently, Eurasia produces only 2.1% of the world's petrochemicals, positioning the region as a supplier of raw materials (primarily crude oil and gas). However, there are all the prerequisites for transforming the region into a major global center for polymer production.

Modernization 2.0

#3 (147), June 2024 special issueModernization 2.0

In April of this year, the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan announced plans to modernize three major refineries and a smaller bitumen plant. The Ministry of Energy's plans include increasing the country's total oil refining volumes from 18 mln to 27 mln tons per year, partly through projects to increase the capacity of refineries and, consequently, the depth of oil processing

Schneider Electric: Advanced Solutions for Kazakhstan❜s Oil Refining and Gas Processing

#3 (147), June 2024 special issueSchneider Electric: Advanced Solutions for Kazakhstan❜s Oil Refining and Gas Processing

Yevgeniy Gritsenko, Director of Key Market Segments in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, Schneider Electric, answers questions from Petroleum.

Recently, Kazakhstan's oil refining and gas processing have gained significant momentum. What products and solutions does Schneider Electric offer for this sector?

Kazakhstani Polyethylene Finds Partners in Russia and China

#3 (147), June 2024 special issueKazakhstani Polyethylene Finds Partners in Russia and China

The legal formalities for the "Polyethylene" project, which involves the construction of a polyethylene production plant in the Atyrau region, were completed in mid-April. The project is now moving into the implementation phase.

Tengiz – Flow Must Go On

#3 (147), June 2024 special issueTengiz – Flow Must Go On

During parliamentary hearings in the Senate earlier this year, Deputy Sagyndyk Lukpanov mentioned that the government had identified 17 projects aimed at creating high-value clusters in priority areas. After examining these projects, senators concluded that they were selected without proper consideration of infrastructure, energy resources, raw materials, markets, logistics, and state support.

Market of Bitumen Materials in Central Asia: Last Year❜s Results and Current Development Trends

#3 (147), June 2024 special issueMarket of Bitumen Materials in Central Asia: Last Year❜s Results and Current Development Trends

In recent years, changes in the global geopolitical landscape have expanded opportunities for Central Asian countries to attract investment sources and develop trade relations. Investments in infrastructure, such as the construction and modernization of highways, railways, ports, and terminals, stimulate economic ties between Asian countries and their neighbors.

Decarbonization. Further Steps and Practice

#3 (147), June 2024 special issueDecarbonization. Further Steps and Practice

We are in the midst of a transformation into a more environmentally conscious society, one of the key issues we face is how to deal with CO2 and limit global warming. On this path, besides capturing, transporting, using and storing carbon dioxide, to reduce a harmful impact of the industrial activities on the climate, it is vital that production processes themselves as well as final products become more sustainable and climate-neutral, widely implemented and used.

PetroKazakhstan in Support of Kazakhstan❜s Culture

#3 (147), June 2024 special issuePetroKazakhstan in Support of Kazakhstan❜s Culture

A long-time partner of the company, the Almaty Choreographic School, named after Alexander Seleznev, celebrates its 90th anniversary.

A long-standing partnership connects the oldest educational institution in Kazakhstan, the Almaty Choreographic School named after A. Seleznev, celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, and PetroKazakhstan.