BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 12. Kazakhstan and China are on the course of agreeing on the terms of a new contract for the supply of Kazakh gas to China, a source at the QazaqGaz JSC (Kazakhstan's National Company) told Trend.
"Information published by some media outlets that QazaqGaz has signed a new export contract with China does not correspond to reality. As negotiations with the Chinese side on concluding a new natural gas purchase and sale contract continue, the parties are agreeing on the terms of supply of Kazakh gas to China," the source said.
The company refused to disclose the details of the contract, citing trade secrets.
Speaking about projects to expand production in Kazakhstan in the near future, the company noted that comprehensive work is being carried out to expand the resource base of commercial gas.
"By the end of 2023, the Anabay gas field in the Jambyl region will be launched, and in 2027, it is planned to put into development the Pridorozhnoye field in the Turkestan region," the source added.
Meanwhile, earlier, it was reported that China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) may participate in the construction of the second branch of the Beineu-Bozoy-Shymkent gas pipeline, with a capacity of 15 billion cubic meters annually.
In this regard, a joint working group comprising the QazaqGaz national company will be established, and a feasibility study and preliminary sources of project financing are expected to be determined by December 31.
Additionally, joint plans include the construction of a gas processing plant in Kashagan with a capacity of 4 billion cubic meters of gas per year. This matter will also be addressed by the joint working group of QazaqGaz and CNPC.
Gas production volume for 2022 amounted to 53.3 billion cubic meters, or 103.1 percent of the 2022 plan. Commercial gas production amounted to 27.8 billion cubic meters, or 94 percent of the plan.
Domestic consumption of commercial gas in Kazakhstan amounted to 19.3 billion cubic meters, or 107.2 percent of the 2022 plan; exports were 4.6 billion cubic meters, or 85.1 percent of the plan.
The volume of liquefied petroleum gas production (supplied to the domestic market) amounted to 2.8 million tons, or 98 percent of the plan.
A slight increase in production is planned for 2023—53.5 billion cubic meters.