Kazakhstan's KazMunayGas, Spain's Exolum sign deal to develop aviation fuel infrastructure

ASTANA. Oct 28 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan's KazMunayGas, its subsidiary KazMunayGas-Aero and Spain's Exolum Aviation have signed an agreement on the main terms of strategic cooperation to jointly develop aviation fuel infrastructure in Kazakhstan, KazMunayGas said.

The document calls for attracting international investment, advanced technology and industry expertise to develop aviation fuel infrastructure at domestic airports, the company said.

The parties are considering cooperation in building refueling complexes and specialized aviation fuel storage depots, as well as modernizing existing facilities. The new and upgraded infrastructure will be geared to handling Jet A-1 international-standard fuel in line with the quality, safety and operational requirements of the Joint Inspection Group (JIG).

KazMunayGas will be responsible for assessing the Kazakh market, liaising with aviation industry participants and working up prospective projects.

For Exolum, entering the Kazakh market will be the first stage of expanding its presence in the Eurasian region, KazMunayGas said.

"Cooperation with one of the major international companies in the industry will let us speed up technological renewal, introduce advanced fuel infrastructure management practices and create conditions for further growth in international air traffic through Kazakhstan," Askhat Khasenov, KazMunayGas head, said. "For KazMunayGas as a national company, it is also particularly important to pass Exolum's experience and technology on to Kazakh specialists, develop the skills of local staff and introduce modern approaches to operating fuel facilities."

The parties will soon carry out a comprehensive economic analysis to identify specific projects, investment volumes, how obligations will be divided and the next stages of cooperation.

Exolum is an international infrastructure group headquartered in Madrid that specializes in the transport and storage of petroleum products and other liquid bulk cargo. The group operates in 10 countries in Europe and the Americas, manages pipelines with a total length of about 6,000 km and 68 terminals with a combined capacity of more than 11 million cubic meters.

Exolum Aviation is the aviation division of the Exolum group, specializing in the design, construction and operation of refueling complexes and centralized aircraft refueling systems. The company services the fuel infrastructure of 50 airports in Europe and Latin America. Exolum Aviation is a member of JIG, which brings together industry representatives to develop and apply international aviation fuel quality and safety standards.

KazMunayGas is Kazakhstan's national operator for the exploration, production, refining and transport of hydrocarbons, representing the state's interests in the oil and gas industry.