Kazakhstan to form system of deep processing of hydrocarbons
By Aynur Jafarova
Kazakhstan will form a system of deep processing of hydrocarbons by the opening of the EXPO-2017 international exhibition, Energy Minister Vladimir Shkolnik said.
"The system of production of base products - polypropylene, polyethylene, benzene, paraxylene - deeper processing of hydrocarbons will be formed on oil, gas and chemical industry till 2017," he said.
Kazakhstan has implemented a number of key projects which form sectored innovation system in accordance with modern international approaches.
"Our studies show that the share of the country in the world hierarchy of stocks can be significantly increased. The greatest prospects are related to the Caspian cavity. A program which involves the formation of advanced scientific base, permanent sites of experience sharing, the development of our own software products and much more is being developed now," the minister noted.
Shkolnik went on to add that to date, the process of modernization of Kazakhstan's all oil refineries is going on, and it will be completed in 2016, and as a result, the country will fully satisfy its needs in gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel of the Euro 4 and Euro 5 environmental standards.
"In general, a wide range of possible activities is being implemented in the oil and gas industry of Kazakhstan. We look forward to further cooperation with our Russian colleagues," Shkolnik said.
Kazakhstan has three oil refineries, which are located in Shymkent (country's southern part), Atyrau (western part) and Pavlodar (northern part).
Kazakhstan, one of the five Central Asian countries, is rich with hydrocarbon reserves. The country's production comes mainly from five onshore fields - Tengiz, Karachaganak, Aktobe, Mangistau, and Uzen - and two offshore fields - Kashagan and Kurmangazy, both located in the Caspian Sea.
The oil production in Kazakhstan amounted to 81.7 million tons in 2013 which is 3.2 percent more than 2012. The forecasts show after 2020 around two million barrels of oil will be produced in Kazakhstan per day. The country plans to produce 83 million tons of oil, 41 billion cubic meters of gas, as well as to process 14.7 million tons of oil in 2014.