Kazakhstan, China launch feasibility study for Shymkent refinery expansionKazakhstan and China have approved terms of reference for the expansion of the Shymkent oil refinery, owned by PetroKazakhstan Oil Products (PKOP), to 12 million tonnes per year and have begun work on a feasibility study, Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry said.The agreements were reached during the visit of Kazakhstan’s delegation to Qingdao, China.The sides agreed on a “6+6” configuration of the expansion project: two processing trains, each having a capacity of 6 million tonnes. The new production lines will be fully integrated with the existing equipment.However, the ministry didn’t specify the deadline of the expansion project.As a result of the meeting, the parties also signed protocols as necessary to implement the project.Earlier, PKOP and the Shymkent city administration signed a roadmap to support the project, including land allocation and guaranteed water supply for production needs.The refinery’s capacity was initially expected to increase to 9 million tonnes a year by 2029, but the government of the country later set a target of expanding it to 12 million tonnes a year by 2030. The estimated cost of the project is about $6 billion.There are three refineries in Kazakhstan. They are located in Shymkent (south Kazakhstan), Atyrau (west) and Pavlodar (east). The Energy Ministry said total refining reached 17.9 million tonnes in 2024, and a record 16.6 million tonnes in January–November 2025. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX