The ban on gasoline exports from Kazakhstan may be lifted after 2029. This was announced by Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev during a briefing following the collegium, as reported by a correspondent from the Kapital.kz business information center.
“Before the Shymkent refinery's capacity is doubled, we have programs for modernizing the Atyrau oil refinery, which processes 1.2-2 million tons, and we will also evaluate the Pavlodar refinery by groups of petroleum products. The final ban will certainly be lifted only after the commissioning of the Shymkent plant, which will be closer to 2030,” he stated in response to journalists' questions.
In the minister's report, it was noted that in 2025, the ban on the export of petroleum products beyond Kazakhstan and the EAEU is planned to be extended.
In March, investors will make a decision regarding the development of a feasibility study for the expansion of the Shymkent oil refinery from 6 million to 12 million tons per year, followed by the signing of a framework agreement between the Ministry of Energy, KazMunayGas, and CNPC. A transition to a two-year maintenance cycle for the plant is also expected: 2024-2025 and 2025-2026.
Planned preventive maintenance will be conducted at the Pavlodar petrochemical plant (40 days) and the Atyrau refinery (30 days), along with the development of feasibility studies and design documentation for the expansion of the Atyrau refinery, as well as the preliminary feasibility study for the expansion of the Pavlodar refinery.
In the second quarter of 2025, they plan to complete the project for expanding Caspi Bitum from 500 to 750 thousand tons per year. This will increase the capacities of bitumen plants from 1.2 to 1.45 million tons per year.
By the end of 2024, the volume of oil processing is expected to reach 17.9 million tons. The production of five specific types of petroleum products amounted to 14.5 million tons: motor gasoline – 5.46 million tons, diesel fuel – 5.38 million tons, fuel oil – 1.99 million tons, aviation kerosene – 0.75 million tons, bitumen – 0.92 million tons. The oil processing plan for 2025 is set at 17.6 million tons . The decrease in the indicator is linked to the suspension of Caspi Bitum LLP for further expansion of capacities from 500 to 750 thousand tons per year . The production volume of petroleum products this year is expected to be around 14.6 million tons.
On January 29, 2025, Kazakhstan abandoned state regulation of fuel prices. Retail prices for gasoline, diesel fuel, and autogas were allowed to float freely at the beginning of February. Previously, the list of petroleum products with state price regulation included gasoline grades AI-80, 92, 93, and diesel fuel.
To prevent shortages of petroleum products, the export ban on petroleum products by road transport from Kazakhstan is extended every six months.