Kazakhstan expects to be fully self-sufficient in petroleum products, launch exports to Central Asia by 2030

ASTANA. Oct 7 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan expects not only to fully provide the domestic market with petroleum products, but also to begin exporting finished petroleum products to the countries of Central Asia by 2030, Kazakh Energy Minister Erlan Akkenzhenov said.

"We expect that Kazakhstan will not only meet its own needs but will also have the potential to export finished petroleum products to Central Asia by 2030," Akkenzhenov told a parliamentary session on Wednesday.

He recalled that three large oil refineries currently operate in the country - the Atyrau Oil Refinery, the Shymkent plant (PetroKazakhstan Oil Products), and the Pavlodar Petrochemical Plant.

"Last year, we refined 18.4 million tonnes of oil and produced about 15.5 million tonnes of finished petroleum products. That already covers more than 90% of our domestic needs," Akkenzhenov said.

The planned expansion of the Shymkent refinery from 6 million to 12 million tonnes and of the Pavlodar refinery by 2 million tonnes will allow Kazakhstan to fully cover domestic demand, he said.

As reported, a ban on exports of gasoline, diesel fuel and certain types of petroleum products by road and rail was introduced in Kazakhstan from November 20, 2025, to May 20, 2026, and was then extended to November 21. The measure applies, among other things, to supplies to the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and aims to prevent fuel shortages on the domestic market.

Exceptions include lubricating oils as well as fuel in the factory tanks of vehicles (exported no more than once a day). The possibility remains for exporting gasoline under approved supply plans as part of state regulation of the production and circulation of certain petroleum products, as well as exports for humanitarian purposes by decision of the Kazakh government.