Kazakhstan plans to double oil refining capacity to 40 million tonnes by 2033
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Kazakhstan plans to more than double its oil refining capacity to 40 million tonnes per year by 2033, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said on August 25. The move aims to reduce reliance on crude exports after disruptions to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium forced a cut in the 2026 oil production forecast by 2 million tonnes. The country refined only 18.4 million tonnes of oil in 2025 while producing 99.6 million tonnes.
Key Facts
- Kazakhstan produced 99.6 million tonnes of oil in 2025 but refined only 18.4 million tonnes.
- Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said refining capacity is planned to increase to 40 million tonnes per year.
- The 2026 oil production forecast was cut from 98 million to 96 million tonnes due to CPC disruptions.
- A fourth major refinery with capacity of up to 10 million tonnes per year is planned, with a site to be selected by the end of 2026.
- Average refining depth at Kazakhstan's three main refineries reached 90% in 2025 and is targeted to rise to 94%.
Refining Expansion Plan
Kazakhstan's oil refining industry development concept runs through 2040 and initially envisaged refining capacity rising to 39.2 million tonnes per year by 2040. The government has since accelerated the timetable, targeting 40 million tonnes of annual capacity by 2033. Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said Kazakhstan wants to bring the ratio of refining to production to one to two or one to three, as in other developed producer countries. The country's three main refineries processed 18.4 million tonnes of oil in 2025 and produced 15.47 million tonnes of petroleum products.
New Refinery Project
Kazakhstan is preparing to build a fourth major refinery with capacity of up to 10 million tonnes per year. Possible locations include the Mangystau, Atyrau, Turkestan and Ulytau regions, with authorities expecting to select a site by the end of the year. The new plant could begin operating by 2033, with the Energy Ministry expecting its launch to fully cover domestic demand for jet fuel. The refinery would also allow Kazakhstan to expand exports of K5-standard petroleum products, broadly equivalent to Europe's Euro 5 standard.
CPC Disruptions and Export Diversification
Disruptions to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, Kazakhstan's main oil export route through Russia to a Black Sea terminal near Novorossiysk, have strengthened the case for diversifying oil use and exports. On August 25, Akkenzhenov said the 2026 oil production forecast had been cut from 98 million to 96 million tonnes, with production losses from attacks on CPC infrastructure estimated at around 3.5 million tonnes. The authorities are trying to compensate for part of the lost volumes by rescheduling major maintenance at large oil fields. Astana is also looking for additional routes to global markets, while continuing to export a significant share of crude oil even after refining capacity reaches 40 million tonnes.
1 source
Kazakhstan plans to double oil refining capacity to 40 million tonnes by 2033
