Kazakhstan, Astana, Dec 20 /Trend K.Konirova/
A new oil pumping station which will increase the capacity of the Kazakhstan - China pipeline from 10 million to 12 million tons is now operating at the Usharal station in southern Kazakhstan, a spokesperson at the company's press office said on Tuesday.
"Launching the pumping station № 11 (NPS-11) is of great importance for the energy sector of Kazakhstan. NPS-11, which is an important part of the Kazakh-Chinese project Atasu - Alashankou, will increase the productivity of the oil pipeline from 10 to 12 million tons a year" the statement read. The project is led by Kazakhstan-China Pipeline Company.
"Construction of the Kazakhstan - China pipeline is divided into two phases. The first was to transport 10 million tons a year. We have begun the second phase of construction which will make it possible to increase the productivity of oil to 20 million tons per year. We have the ability to export 12 million tons a year by constructing station number 11," the deputy head of the project management company Kazakhstan-China pipeline, Saftar Iskenderov said.
Mr Iskenderov added that two more pumping stations, NPC #8 in the Agadyr and NPC #10 in the Sayak area will be commissioned at the Atasu-Alashankou site in 2012-2013.
Five pumping stations will be built in the west on the site of Kenkiyak - Kumkol. The oil comes mostly from the Kumkol field, where it is pumped and will be produced in the Mangistau region and from the Kashagan field in future.
"Thus, all the oil fields will have an alternative access to the international market" Mr Iskenderov added.
The Kazakhstan-China Company pipeline was established offering equal shares to JSC KazTransOil and the Chinese National Corporation for the exploration and development of oil and gas (CNODC) on June 30, 2004 and for the designing, construction and operation of the pipeline
Welding of 'golden' oil pipeline junction took place in the border zone in November 14, 2005.