Kazakhstan refinery upgrades to be completed by 2015

Prime Minister Karim Massimov said that refinery upgrades in all three of Kazakhstan’s refineries are underway and will be completed by January 1, 2015, at a combined cost of US$4 billion. “The upgrading project is ongoing at the Atyrau refinery, feasibility study into upgrading of the Shymkent refinery is underway, the same refers to the Pavlodar refinery,” the prime minister said. All three refineries are owned by national oil company KazMunayGas. “Resources have been allocated and the programs, which are currently being implemented will have been completed by January 1, 2015 after which Kazakhstan will become able to satisfy its domestic demand for fuel and lubricants” he said. (July 15, 2011)