QazaqGaz preparing to sign new export contract with China - company

ASTANA. Sept 11 (Interfax) - The Kazakh national company QazaqGaz has signed a new export contract with China, the press service of the president of the republic reported.

However, the QazaqGaz press service told Interfax that the contract has not yet been signed, and that preparations are underway to sign it.

On Monday, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received the Chairman of the Board of QazaqGaz Sanjar Zharkeshov. "Tokayev was informed about the progress of the project for the second line of the Beineu-Bozoi-Chimkent gas pipeline and the signing of a new export contract with China," the presidential press service said.

Details of the contract have not been disclosed.

As reported, in May, QazaqGaz and the Chinese CNPC signed an agreement on cooperation in the fields of natural gas supply and geological exploration.

"The signed agreement will allow the companies to continue mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of natural gas supply and geological exploration. The document also lays the foundation for the start of construction of the second line of the Beineu-Bozoi-Chimkent gas pipeline," the message said.

QazaqGaz is a portfolio company within the structure of the Samruk-Kazyna state fund. The company manages a centralized infrastructure for the transportation of commercial gas through Kazakhstan's primary gas pipelines and gas distribution networks, ensures international transit and sells gas on the domestic and foreign markets, as well as develops, finances, builds and operates pipelines and gas storage facilities.

QazaqGaz operates gas pipelines with a total length of nearly 76,000 km, including 20,000 km of primary gas pipelines with an annual throughput capacity of up to 267.8 bcm and gas distribution networks with a length of nearly 56,000 km.