Russia Fuel Crisis Reshapes Central Asia Supply Routes
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Disruptions at Russian oil refineries are reshaping Central Asia's fuel supply routes. Kyrgyzstan is arranging supplies from China, while Tajikistan has requested large volumes from Iran. Kazakhstan plans to more than double its refining capacity and sell more petroleum products to its neighbors.
Key Facts
- Kyrgyzstan has negotiated directly with China's largest oil companies, signing contracts with CNPC for petroleum product supplies through Kunlun Logistics.
- Tajikistan has requested large volumes of crude oil and fuel from Iran.
- Kazakhstan plans to more than double its refining capacity and eventually sell more petroleum products to its neighbors.
- For 2026, Moscow has agreed to supply Kyrgyzstan around 1.5 million tonnes of fuel duty-free, roughly equivalent to the country's total annual demand.
- Kyrgyzstan's largest refinery, Junda in Kara-Balta, is moving to the next stage of a modernization project valued at $193.75 million.
Kyrgyzstan's China Route
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have felt the impact of Russia's disruptions more acutely than other Central Asian countries, with both having limited domestic oil production and depending heavily on imported fuel. Galiya Ibragimova, a Central Asia expert with Carnegie Politika, told Al Jazeera that the two countries had been hit hardest in the region and said the search for new suppliers would continue, although alternative fuel would most likely be more expensive. Following talks with Sinopec, a Kyrgyz delegation met CNPC management on August 19, and Kyrgyz companies signed contracts with CNPC for petroleum product supplies through Kunlun Logistics, according to Kyrgyz state news agency Kabar. China is unlikely to displace Russia quickly on price, as there is no direct rail connection between China and Kyrgyzstan, while road transport across the mountainous border is more expensive.
Domestic Refining Expansion
Kyrgyzstan's largest refinery, Junda in Kara-Balta, is moving to the next stage of a modernization project valued at $193.75 million. The plant is expected to increase petroleum product output and move to Euro 5 fuel standards. Kyrgyzstan does not produce enough crude to keep the refinery running at capacity, however, so it would still need to import much of the oil it refines. Bishkek is therefore keeping Russian finished fuel in the mix while purchasing petroleum products from other markets and looking to refine imported crude domestically.
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Russia Fuel Crisis Reshapes Central Asia Supply Routes
