Kazakhstan is set to significantly expand its oil refining capacity as part of the Concept for Developing the Oil Refining Sector in Kazakhstan for 2024-2040. The country’s three major refineries—Atyrau, Pavlodar, and Shymkent—along with the Aktau Bitumen Plant currently process up to 18 million tons of crude oil annually.

Planned expansions include:

• Shymkent Refinery: Capacity will increase from 6 to 12 million tons per year.
• Pavlodar Refinery: Capacity will grow from 5.5 to 8 million tons per year.
• Atyrau Refinery: Capacity will rise from 5.5 to 6.7 million tons per year.
• Aktau Bitumen Plant: Capacity will expand from 1 to 1.5 million tons per year, with bitumen production rising from 500,000 to 750,000 tons per year.

Additionally, the Ministry of Energy emphasized the need to construct a new refinery in western Kazakhstan with a capacity to process at least 10 million tons of oil annually by 2030.

Minister of Energy Almasadam Satkaliyev announced last year that the new refinery will support economic growth and ensure a stable supply of high-quality fuel for the domestic market.