Kazakhstan, Astana, April 22 / Trend, D. Mukhtarov /
By 2016, Kazakhstan needs to start construction of another petroleum refinery, the Minister of Oil and Gas Sauat Mynbayev said on Monday speaking during a Q&A session at the country's parliment.
"It is necessary to start building another petroleum refinery by 2016. Where and how? The question still open," Mynbaev said.
According to him, the decision was made on the basis of calculations of independent experts and his own calculations of domestic petroleum demand in the coming years.
"Considering that the capacity of the three existing refineries in the country will not be enough to cover the domestic demand, it is necessary to make a decision on the construction of a new refinery by 2016," Mynbaev said.
He recalled that the country adopted a program of modernization at the Pavlodar, Atyrau and Shymkent refineries ending in 2015 which resulted in the growth of not only the quantity but also the quality of oil produced in the country.
"By the end, it will be Euro-4 standard, and during 2016 - Euro-5," the Minister said.