Kazakhstan begins feasibility study for fourth oil refinery with 10 mln tonne capacity

September 16, 2026 at 06:06 PM2 min

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Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry has begun developing a preliminary feasibility study for a fourth oil refinery with a capacity of up to 10 million tonnes per year. The project, including design, construction and launch, is planned for completion between 2026 and 2033. The ministry said the final location and cost will be decided after pre-project studies.

Key Facts

The new refinery will have a processing capacity of up to 10 million tonnes of oil per year.
Work on the preliminary feasibility study began in May 2026.
The entire project, from feasibility study to launch, is expected to take about seven years, with completion planned for 2026-2033.
After the project is implemented, Kazakhstan's total oil refining capacity could increase to about 40 million tonnes per year.
In February 2026, Vice Energy Minister Kaiyrkhan Tutkyshbayev said the preliminary cost of the fourth refinery would be around $10 billion.

Project Scope

Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry confirmed that practical work on the fourth oil refinery project is ongoing. The plant is designed to process up to 10 million tonnes of crude oil annually. Development of the preliminary feasibility study started in May 2026. The ministry expects the full cycle—feasibility study, design, construction and commissioning—to take about seven years, with completion targeted for 2033.

Location and Investment

The ministry is currently considering various options for the plant's location. A final decision on the site and project cost will be made after the pre-project studies are completed. The ministry said it is premature to name a specific region or final investment volume at this stage. In February 2026, Vice Energy Minister Kaiyrkhan Tutkyshbayev estimated the preliminary cost at about $10 billion.

Capacity Expansion

Once the fourth refinery is operational, Kazakhstan's total refining capacity could rise to approximately 40 million tonnes per year. The country also plans to gradually increase capacity at its existing refineries in Pavlodar, Shymkent and Atyrau. Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov previously said specialists are still studying potential sites for the future plant.