Russian companies to supply gasoline, diesel fuel to Kazakhstan
By Aynur Jafarova
Russian Bashneft and Lukoil companies will supply additional gasoline and diesel fuel to Kazakhstan, RIA-Novosti quoted Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak as saying.
"Bashneft will supply additional 13,000 metric tons of gasoline
and 5,000 metric tons of diesel fuel within the week," he noted.
"Lukoil will supply additional 8,000 tons of gasoline and diesel
fuel until the end of the month."
Kazakhstan has some oil refineries, which are located in Shymkent
(country's southern part), Atyrau (western part) and Pavlodar
(northern part).
Earlier Kazakhstan's First Deputy Energy Minister Uzakbai Karabalin
said his country is in talks with Azerbaijan, as well as Russia and
Turkmenistan to purchase fuels and lubricants.
Experts believe Kazakhstan may resolve its problems with the periodic shortage of fuels and lubricants only by increasing the prices for fuel and transition to market conditions.
Attracting investments in the modernization of the country's
refining sector is another variant for resolving this problem.
The reconstruction of Kazakhstan's oil refineries or construction
of new ones is believed to resolve the problem with the shortage of
fuels and lubricants in the country as well.