Astana, Kazakhstan, Nov.7
By Daniyar Mukhtarov - Trend:
Capacity of Kazakh oil refineries after modernization will increase from 14.5 million metric tons to 18.5 million metric tons of oil a year, said the Deputy Energy Minister Uzakbai Karabalin.
"One hundred percent supply of the domestic market of oil products at the expense of own production is expected after 2016 as a result of the reconstruction and modernization of existing facilities," said Uzakbai Karabalin Nov.5 at a meeting of the faction of the Nur Otan party in the Majilis (Kazakh Assembly). "Production of gasoline will increase by 115 percent, diesel fuel - by 38 percent. The production of oil and liquefied natural gas will decrease."
He recalled that at present, the production capacity of domestic refineries do not cover all the needs of the domestic market on light oil products. He said that when the oil refineries are fully loaded, the deficit amounts to 30-40 percent and is made up by imports both from Russia and other countries.
"In order to cover the missing volumes of light poil products, in accordance with an agreement between the governments of Kazakhstan and Russia, indicative oil balances were signed," the vice minister said. "They provide for duty-free supplies of 958,000 metric tons of gasoline and 470 metric tons of diesel fuel from Russia to Kazakhstan in 2014."