Kazakhstan, Tatneft Advance Joint Industrial Projects in Atyrau Region

Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with Nail Maganov, head of Russian company PJSC Tatneft, on May 21, Orda.kz reports. 

The company had previously been mentioned regarding the potential privatization of one of Kazakhstan’s oil refineries.

In late March and early April, KazMunayGas and the Ministry of Energy denied claims that Tatneft would be given operational control of the refinery.

According to the government press service, Bektenov and Maganov discussed plans for a joint investment project focused on the production of butadiene and synthetic rubber in the Atyrau region. The project is being carried out in collaboration with the Chinese engineering firm China Tianchen Engineering Corporation.

The investment phase is scheduled to begin on July 1. The plant is expected to produce two types of rubber, totaling 100,000 tons annually — one type for tire manufacturing and another for producing plastics and road surfaces. 

Additionally, the facility will be capable of producing 40,000 tons of ether annually for use in high-octane gasoline.

The meeting also addressed geological exploration at the Karaton Podsolevaya site, a project being developed jointly with JSC NC KazMunayGas. A deep exploratory well, 5,500 meters in depth, is currently being drilled. Discussions also covered a project for producing terephthalic acid and polyethylene terephthalate, the statement read. 

Bektenov emphasized that Kazakhstan is open to “constructive dialogue” with Tatneft, collaboration on joint projects, and integrating the Russian company’s technologies into local enterprises.

Tatneft began development of the Karaton Podsolevaya site last year through a joint Kazakh-Russian venture. 

Original Author: Nikita Drobny