April 21, 2025 [The Times of Central Asia]- Kazakhstan plans to double its oil refining capacity to 38 million tons by 2040, according to the country’s Minister of Energy, Yerlan Akkenzhenov. The announcement came during a recent meeting with executives from the national oil company KazMunayGas and representatives from the country’s four main refineries: Atyrau, Pavlodar, Shymkent, and the Aktau-based Caspi Bitum plant.
Akkenzhenov said the goal is enshrined in Kazakhstan’s new Oil Refining Industry Development Concept for 2025-2040, which aims to significantly boost the share of refined oil, improve resource efficiency, and increase the production of value-added petroleum products.
Key objectives of the strategy include:
- Increasing the depth of refining to 94%, aligning with global best practices;
- A full transition to high environmental standard fuels, such as K5 gasoline and Jet A-1 jet fuel;
- Expanding the production of petrochemical products for both domestic and international markets;
- Enhancing the technological sophistication and operational efficiency of Kazakhstan’s refineries.
“We must not just supply the domestic market with fuel today but lay the foundation for technological sovereignty and sustainable development for decades to come,” Akkenzhenov said. “The successful realization of this concept depends on our ability to work efficiently, make bold decisions, and take responsibility for them. There is no time for hesitation, the country expects concrete results: modern plants, quality products, and reliable power supply.”
As part of the initiative, the minister urged the accelerated development of a feasibility study to double the capacity of the Shymkent refinery and called for swift agreement signings with potential partners. He also stressed the need for the Pavlodar petrochemical plant to begin work on its next expansion phase.
Meanwhile, the Atyrau refinery is to focus on implementing approved projects while preparing for further capacity growth. The Caspi Bitum plant has been tasked with completing post-modernization commissioning and ensuring stable operations.
Kazakhstan’s three major oil refineries are located in:
- Pavlodar (northeast);
- Atyrau (west);
- Shymkent (south).
As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the national antimonopoly agency proposed in March to privatize state stakes in the Pavlodar and Atyrau refineries, a move that could reshape the sector’s ownership landscape.
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