Anniversary
70 Years And The Whole Life
Urazbaev Kairat Kulymovich, general director – chairman of the board of directors of ANPZ LLPUrazbaev Kairat Kulymovichgeneral director – chairman of the board of directors of Atyrau Oil Refinery (ANPZ), answers the following questions for Petroleum.
-This year Atyrau Oil Refinery marks its 70th anniversary. How does the firstborn of Kazakhstan oil refining industry develop to date, being one of the backbones of the domestic economy? In what mood do the plant workers mark the anniversary?
Summing up our 70 years, we have much to be proud of, we have something to tell, we are ready to share our invaluable experience gained over these years. Of course, the plant has developed throughout these years. After Kazakhstan gained it sovereignty, the second wind kicked in. In 2003-2006, the first stage of modernization was carried out, being marked by the construction of new process installations, producing ecologically pure brands of diesel fuels and gasoline and complying with environmental standards.
The reconstruction ensured hydroprocessing and gasoline isomerization units, as well as hydrotreating and dewaxing units, hydrogen purification and generation units, sulphur production units with crystallization blocks. The first stage focused on solving the issue of improving environmental properties of motor fuels, reducing their content of sulphur, nitrogenous and other harmful substances.
Upon implementation of this project, the oil production of Atyrau oil refinery today is compliant with the effective regulations. This stage also includes modernization of off-site facilities, a biological wastewater treatment unit was also built. New tank fleets, a ramp of dark petroleum products, a flaring system with modern security control systems were also implemented. The modernization, carried out with participation of Japanese companies, has improved the quality of products and reduced adverse environmental impact to a minimum.
During this period, the previously built technological units also underwent reconstruction, basic equipment was replaced, process control system based on microprocessor technology was launched, and the conditions for subsequent transfer of the plant operation to a single operation unit were created.
Now the second stage of revamp draws to a close: we have built an aromatic hydrocarbons production facility and the third stage of modernization is the construction of an advanced oil refining facility.
The aromatic hydrocarbons production centre today uses the fuel option, we get high-octane component with octane ratio up to 103 units, which allows producing only high-octane motor gasoline compliant with environmental grades K-3, 4. Already in June, it has been planned to receive marketable benzene, and paraxylene by the end of August. It is the largest complex of benzene and paraxylene production on the territory of the former Soviet Union, and the first manufacture of the petrochemical cluster in Kazakhstan. Its application to obtain high-octane components of motor gasoline catalytic reforming process with continuous regeneration of catalyst is also unique.
The ultimate goal of modernization is to create a modern, secure and competitive enterprise, to issue ecologically clean petroleum products compliant with grade K-5 and world standards, and to improve productivity. Therefore, we have a clear task set before us, and our employees are fully aware of all its complexity and make every effort to achieve this goal.
It should be noted that due to the commissioning of the aromatic hydrocarbons production centre, additional 277 workplaces were created, and the deep conversion refinery will create 400 more jobs. Eligible and well-trained young people and workers, freed because of the automation of old productions, will be provided with workplaces.
All investment projects have been implemented due to the State programs and after our company’s (representing KazMunayGas Refining and Marketing group of companies) merger with the system of KMG NC.
On the eve of the anniversary, the factory workers enjoy sustainable production, we were the first to develop petrochemical production, there is good dynamics at construction sites of the deep conversion refinery, there are new jobs and conditions for retraining staff, good salary and social package, and most importantly, there is confidence in the future. Therefore, the workers’ mood today is on the rise.
- What production and financial performance indicators mark the last year of 2014?
- As for Atyrau Oil Refinery LLP, in 2014 4.9 million tons of raw materials were recycled, which is 11% more than last year results and is the company’s record. The production plan has been more than 100% completed for all types of petroleum products. Another achievement of 2014 was that the indicator of oil refining depth reached 104%. Positive results were achieved in key indicators of the plant’s financial activities in 2014 year, despite a negative impact of depreciation on the total income in February 2014. The growth of revenue from the provision of oil refining services and oil products sales against the last year amounted to 12.4%, which is KZT 6.5 billion in monetary terms. The revenue growth is largely linked to increased oil refining volumes and savings on expenses. Operating profit amounted to KZT 24.9 billion. The company makes payments to the budgets of all levels and pays salaries in full and on time. In monetary terms, productivity ratio for 2014 exceeds the values of 2013 by 13.3%, due to the successful implementation of the production programme. Productivity growth in real terms amounted to 12% against the past year. It should be noted that the average monthly wage in 2014 was KZT 374221 that is 22.5% higher than the last year value!