Kazakhstan Boosts Oil Refining Capacity Amid CPC Disruptions

Kazakhstan is planning to more than double its oil refining capacity by 2033 in an effort to reduce its reliance on crude exports and sell more petrol and diesel to neighboring countries.

The country has been forced to cut its 2026 oil production forecast by 2 million tonnes due to disruptions to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) this year, which is Kazakhstan's main route for getting oil to the global market.

Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said that refining capacity is planned to increase to 40 million tonnes, with a target of achieving an average refining depth of 94% at the country's three main refineries by 2033.