Kazakhstan, Astana, May 12/ Trend, A. Maratov /
A bill is being prepared in Kazakhstan authorizing licenses to be issued for the construction of small-scale oil refineries, Kazakh Oil and Gas Minister Sauat Mynbayev said.
"We are developing a bill which envisages granting licenses to those who intend to engage in the construction of small-scale oil refineries," Mynbayev said addressing a plenary meeting of the Lower House of Parliament.
There are currently 32 small-scale oil refineries in the country, in addition to three major oil refineries.
"Our small-scale oil refineries cannot withstand the requirements of the European standards, not to mention the Euro-2, petrol Euro 5 and Euro 6," he said.
Kazakhstan plans to start gasoline production of the Euro-5 standard by completing the state program on upgrading the three major oil refineries.
"If new technologies are available, let them build small-scale oil refineries. In any case, even with the issuance of licenses the small-scale oil refineries must meet the country's products standards," Mynbayev said.