Kazakhstan Aims to Double Oil Refining Capacity by 2040 Amid Russian Fuel Crisis

Kazakhstan has announced plans to more than double its crude oil refining capacity by 2040. The current annual refining capacity is at 18 million tons, but with new expansions and a major new refinery, this will increase to 40 million tons per year.

The expansion aims to boost fuel output, improve domestic feedstock utilization, expand petroleum product production, reduce reliance on imports for some products, and create opportunities for the petrochemical industry.

Kazakhstan has been hesitant to export fuels to Russia due to concerns about secondary sanctions for abetting the Russian war effort. The country is also experiencing record domestic demand this summer.