6 Jun 2022 13:41

Kazakhstan could halt gas exports in 2023 - QazaqGaz

(technical repeat)

NUR-SULTAN. June 6 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan may have to stop exports of gas in 2023 unless urgent measures are taken, said Sanzhar Zharkeshov, CEO of national gas company QazaqGaz.

Kazakhstan's gas industry may face a crisis in 2024. If demand from customers is not satisfied, the crisis may begin in 2023, he said at the government hour in the Majilis, the lower chamber of the Kazakh parliament, which discussed issues relating to prospects of the gas industry in Kazakhstan.

"We expect a shortage of gas starting from 2024. The domestic demand is anticipated to be 1.7 billion cubic meters higher than the existing gas resources. If no urgent measures are taken, the exports of gas will need to be stopped in 2023," Zharkeshov said.

Today there are a great many requests for gas supply from large customers, including coal-to-gas conversion projects for power plants, the supply of additional gas volumes to new gas and chemical complexes and to new large commercial customers, he said.