South Korea's Samsung E&A looking into participating in new Kazakhstan refinery project
ASTANA. Sept 7 (Interfax) - Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov has met with Samsung E&A President and CEO Hong Namkoong to discuss a project to construct an oil refining and petrochemical complex in Kazakhstan, the Kazakh Energy Ministry said.
Samsung E&A has been briefed on the project's preparations and key implementation areas, with particular attention paid to the technological configuration of the future complex, petrochemical production, private investment, and advanced engineering solutions.
"Representatives of the South Korean company have expressed interest in exploring the project further and potentially joining future phases. Both sides are ready to continue dialogue and work out the details," the ministry said.
The ministry said a preliminary feasibility study is underway, with various options for technology, production focus and location being considered based on feedstock and infrastructure.
"The Energy Ministry is continuing efforts to bring in investors, technology partners, and leading international engineering companies for the project," according to the press release.
A preliminary feasibility study for a fourth large-scale refinery, intended to process Kashagan and Tengiz feedstock, began in May 2026.
The Energy Ministry is interdepartmentally coordinating the project with SK Ondeu, which is the client and a subsidiary of the Samruk-Kazyna National Wealth Fund.
As reported, an international engineering team will conduct comprehensive pre-project studies over six months, with technical and economic parameters for the refinery, including site selection justification, to be presented to the government.
Pavlodar Petrochemical Plant (PNHZ), Shymkent PetroKazakhstan Oil Products Plant (PKOP), and Atyrau Oil Refinery (ANPZ) are currently the three large oil refineries operating in Kazakhstan.
Samsung E&A is among South Korea's leading engineering, procurement and construction companies, with extensive experience in implementing large-scale projects in the oil refining, petrochemical, and energy sectors.
