Kazakhstan Plans New Oil Refinery by 2030 to Meet Growing Demand
Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry announced plans for a new oil refinery in western Kazakhstan by 2030, with a processing capacity of at least 10 million tons annually, reported Kazinform on Jan. 21.
Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev highlighted the urgency of the project, citing a potential shortage of light oil products by 2036. The refinery will ensure domestic fuel and lubricant needs from 2040 to 2050 and support exports to Central, South, and Southwest Asia.
Currently, Kazakhstan relies on three major oil refineries—Atyrau, Pavlodar, and Shymkent—and the Aktau bitumen plant, which collectively process up to 18 million tons of oil annually.
The draft Oil Refining Industry Development Concept for 2024-2040 includes capacity expansions:
- Shymkent refinery: 6 → 12 million tons/year
- Pavlodar plant: 5.5 → 8 million tons/year
- Atyrau refinery: 5.5 → 6.7 million tons/year
- Aktau bitumen plant: 1 → 1.5 million tons/year, with bitumen output rising to 750,000 tons/year.
Photo credit: KMG
