Western regions of Kazakhstan receive additional liquefied petroleum gas - ministry

ASTANA. Oct 28 (Interfax) - Additional liquefied petroleum gas had been delivered to western regions of Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry said following reports about an LPG shortage at the filling stations in west Kazakhstan.

"On October 24 of this year, an additional 900 tonnes was shipped to the Aktobe region from the Shymkent refinery, 180 tonnes was delivered to the West Kazakhstan region from Tengizchevroil's stock, and daily shipments from KazGPP [Kazakh Gas Processing Plant] to the Mangistau region were increased by 100-150 tonnes," the ministry said in a Monday press release.

Reports had said residents of the western regions complained about a shortage of LPG at the filling stations.

Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev said in early October that Kazakhstan had sufficient reserves of gasoline and diesel fuel and there was no shortage of petroleum products. However, he acknowledged that some regions experienced localized shortages of liquefied gas due to the harvest season and recent rains. "Our agricultural producers and regions have requested additional volumes of diesel fuel and liquefied gas, prompting us to seek extra supplies," he said.

A ban on LPG exports by motor vehicles has been in force in Kazakhstan since 2017, for LPG prices in the republic are lower than in the neighboring states. The domestic production of LPG does not suffice to meet the local demand, and now and again the republic faces shortages of LPG, especially during the shutdown of the refineries for scheduled maintenance and major repairs.

Satkaliyev suggested in July that LPG be deemed a strategic raw material for the petrochemical industry.