Kazakhstan to increase oil refining capacity to 39 mln tonnes by 2040

Alsharq Tribune-AFP 

Kazakhstan plans to raise its oil refining capacity from 18 million to 39 million tonnes by 2040, the country's Ministry of Energy said Friday.

Speaking at Kazakhstan Energy Week 2025 and the 16th KAZENERGY Eurasian Forum in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, Talgat Makuov, deputy director of the ministry's oil transportation and refining department, presented the 2025-2040 development concept for the sector.

He said expanding refining capacity will require an investment estimated at 15 billion to 19 billion U.S. dollars.

The concept seeks to improve the ratio of oil production to refining in line with benchmarks set by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries, effectively doubling the current level.

It also calls for the construction of new refining and petrochemical complexes, with a focus on environmental standards and reducing harmful emissions from fuels, in support of Kazakhstan's decarbonization and green development goals.