29 May 2023 13:22

KazMunayGas, CNPC discuss expansion of Kenkiyak-Atyrau, Kenkiyak-Kumkol oil pipelines

ALMATY. May 29 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan's national oil and gas company KazMunayGas (KMG) and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) are discussing the possibility of expanding the Kenkiyak-Atyrau and Kenkiyak-Kumkol oil pipelines, KMG told Interfax.

The throughput capacity of the Kenkiyak-Atyrau oil pipeline might be expanded from 6 million tonnes per year to 12 million tonnes, and Kenkiyak-Kumkol from 10 million tonnes to 15 million tonnes annually.

KMG said that 4.5 million tonnes of oil was pumped via Kenkiyak-Atyrau and 8.1 million tonnes of oil via Kenkiyak-Kumkol in 2022.

China, KazMunayGas and CNPC signed an agreement on expanding strategic cooperation in the oil and gas industry during the Kazakh president's state visit that calls for boosting the throughput capacity of the existing oil pipelines, Atyrau-Kenkiyak and Kenkiyak-Kumkol.

KMG CEO Magzum Mirzagaliyev said earlier that the expansion of the Kazakhstan-China oil pipeline would cost about $200 million and should be completed in two or three years.

Mirzagaliyev said the project could increase Kazakh oil exports to 20 million tonnes from today's 1 million-2 million tonnes.