Kazakhstan ratifies framework agreement with Uzbekistan in the field of energy

The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, signed a framework agreement with Uzbekistan in the field of energy, Vlast.kz reports.

According to the source, earlier, Vice-Minister of Energy Makhambet Dosmukhambetov informed that the ratification of the agreement would facilitate the supply of crude oil to Uzbekistan for processing at refineries, addressing the uninterrupted supply of natural gas to the south of Kazakhstan in the autumn-winter period, the mutual development of the transit potential of gas transportation system of Uzbekistan and the exchange of experience in the implementation and operation of petrochemical projects.

In accordance with the request of Uzbekistan, Russia is considering the issue of supplying oil to the republic in the amount of up to 1 million tons per year. Kazakhstan in this context is considered as a transit side. Uzbekistan is also interested in purchasing up to 5 million tons of oil per year, including up to 2 million tons from Kazakhstan and up to 3 million tons from Russia. In addition, the option of supplying 5 million tons only from Kazakhstan is also being considered.

At the same time, Dosmukhambetov noted that Kazakhstan is ready to supply oil from its own resources through the Kenkiyak-Kumkol oil pipeline and further with transshipment to the railway tank at the Shagyr station. For stable oil supplies to Uzbekistan, significant investments are needed in the transport infrastructure. However, the Vice-Minister stressed that “this agreement is a framework, and the issues of oil supply to Uzbekistan are the subject of additional negotiations between Kazakhstan, Russia and Uzbekistan.”