To increase
Last issue special issue
#3 (153), July 2025
PETROCHEMISTRY AND OIL REFININGEditor❜s Note
From raw exports to advanced refining
By July 1 of this year, the Ministry of National Economy, together with other government agencies, must submit proposals to the government regarding tax and customs incentives for projects in the petrochemical industry. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov issued this directive following a meeting on gas chemical development held in early May in Astana.
Petrochemistry and oil refining
A 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?
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
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
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
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
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).
Expertise
Modern Approaches to Occupational Safety in the Oil and Gas Industry
It’s uncommon in the oil and gas industry to hear about people not directly involved in oil production. Nevertheless, without the expertise of these professionals, the production, transportation, and processing of hydrocarbons would be exposed to additional risks to people and the environment. In this issue, we feature insights from Nurzhan Kassym, a recognized expert in industrial safety, occupational health, and environmental protection.
Natural Gas Prices in Kazakhstan to Increase July 1. And will continue to grow by an average of 33% annually over the next three years
The May order issued by the Minister of Energy, titled “On Amendments to the Order of the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated June 6, 2023, No. 210 ‘On Approval of the Ceiling Prices for Wholesale Sales of Commercial Gas on the Domestic Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan’s’” provides for a phased adjustment of ceiling wholesale gas prices over three years, with an average annual increase of up to 33%.
Oil Chronicles
Oil Chronicles. March 2025
March 1, KazMunayGas CEO Askhat Khassenov held a meeting in Budapest with MOL Group Chairman Zsolt Hernádi. The meeting covered prospects for bilateral cooperation and plans for joint project implementation. In particular, the parties reviewed progress on the development of the Rozhkovskoye field in West Kazakhstan region, where KMG and MOL Group are partners.
Oil Chronicles. April 2025
April Former Chairman of the Management Board of KazMunayGas, Alik Aidarbayev, has been appointed Deputy Director for Offshore Projects at Lukoil Kazakhstan Upstream. In partnership with KazMunayGas, the Russian company Lukoil is beginning development of the offshore fields Kalamkas-Sea, Khazar, and Auezov in the Kazakhstani sector of the Caspian Sea.
Forums
Atyrau At The Center
About 3 thousand specialists visited the international Atyrau Oil&Gas and AtyrauBuild exhibitions in 2025. From April 2 to 4, the 22nd North Caspian Regional Atyrau Oil&Gas Exhibition, one of the key industry exhibitions of the region, was held in Atyrau, which once again confirmed the status of an important platform for exchanging experience, effective networking and demonstrating modern solutions in the oil and gas industry.
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