Kazakhstan to boost oil processing to 17 million tons by 2015

Kazakhstan plans to increase oil processing up to 17 million tons by 2015, Oil and gas Minister Sauat Mynbayev told at a plenary sitting of the country’s majilis (lower chamber) today, May 11, Novosti Kazakhstan reports. As of today, according to him, Kazakhstan-based refineries process a bit over 13 million tons a year. Kazakhstan accommodates three refineries based in Pavlodar, Atyrau and Shymkent. The three facilities are to go through overhauls within the program to modernize oil processing facilities in 2010-2014. In 2010, the three refineries processed a total of 13.7 million tons of crude, 570 000 tons over the plan.