Energy policy of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan owns large reserves of energy resources, and therefore the energy policy of Kazakhstan has influence over the world's overall energy supply. Although Kazakhstan has not described itself as an energy superpower, Kazakhstan's president Nursultan Nazarbayev has claimed Kazakhstan will become a factor of energy security in Asia and Europe.cite news | url=http://www.gasandoil.com/GOC/news/ntc63970.htm | title=Kazakhstan becoming pillar of energy security in Asia and Europe | publisher=Alexander's Gas & Oil Connections | date=13 September 2006 | accessdate=2007-06-10] Kazakhstan has a strategic geographical location to control oil and gas flows from Central Asia to East (China) and West (Russia, global market).

Overview

The responsible governmental agency for energy policy is the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. In June 2003, the government of Kazakhstan announced a new Caspian Sea development program, according to which new offshore blocks of oil and gas to be auctioned. In 2005, the government introduced new restrictions granting to the state-owned oil and gas company KazMunayGas status of contractor and at least half of any production sharing agreement (PSA). New tax structure, enforced in January 2004, included a so-called "rent tax" on exports, a progressive tax that increases as oil prices grow. The amendment raised the government's share of oil income to a range of 65-85%.The new structure includes an excess profit tax, and limits foreign participation to 50 percent in each offshore project with no guarantees of operatorship.cite news | url=http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/Kazakhstan/Oil.html | title=Kazakhstan energy data, statistics and analysis - oil | publisher=US Energy Information Agency | date=October 2006 | accessdate=2007-06-10]

In 2005, Kazakhstan amended the subsoil law to preempt the sale of oil assets in the country and to extend the government’s power to buy back energy assets by limiting the transfer of property rights to strategic assets in Kazakhstan.

Primary energy sources

Kazakhstan oil, gas, coal and uranium reserves are among the ten biggest in the world.

Oil

Kazakhstan is estimated to have between convert|30|Goilbbl|m3 of crude oil reserves, which place it eleventh in the world.cite news | url = http://www.crisisgroup.org/library/documents/asia/central_asia/133_central_asia_s_energy_risks.pdf | title = Central Asia's Energy Risks. Asia Report No. 133 | publisher = International Crisis Group | format = PDF | date = 24 May 2007 | accessdate = 2007-05-26] Over the last several years the oil production has increased rapidly due to foreign investment and improvements in production efficiencies. In 2006, Kazakhstan produced 54 million tons of crude oil and 10.5 million tons of gas condensate (565 MMbbls), which makes Kazakhstan eighteenth-largest oil producer in the world. At current production levels Kazakhstan is thought to have approximately 50 years of remaining production. According to the president Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan is planning to increase its oil production up to convert|3.5|Moilbbl|m3 of oil a day, of which 3 million will go to export, in coming ten years. This will lift Kazakhstan into the ranks of the world's top 10 oil-producing nations. According to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Baktykozha Izmukhametov Kazakhstan plans to increase the petroleum output to 150 million tons by 2015.

The main production sites are the Tengiz field (290,000 bbl/d), located on the northeast shores of the Caspian, and the Karachaganak field (210,000 bbl/d), located inland near to Russian border. In future Kazakh oil production will also relay on the Kashagan field, the largest oil field outside the Middle East, which possess anywhere from 7 to 13 billion bbls in recoverable reserves, and the Kurmangazy field in Northern Kazakhstan. There are some smaller oil fields neat to Chinese border, which not developed yet.cite news | author = Boris Antsipherov | url = http://eng.gazeta.kz/art.asp?aid=74069 | title = Our eastern oil | publisher = Gazeta.kz | date = 17 April 2006 | accessdate = 2007-05-26] . 76% of Kazakhstan's oil and gas production and remaining reserves are concentrated in these three oil fields as well as the Uzen Field, a further 14% of reserves and production are located in 6 further fields

The leading oil industry is state-owned oil company KazMunayGas. The landmark foreign investment in Kazakh oil industry is the TengizChevroil joint venture, owned 50% by ChevronTexaco, 25% by ExxonMobil, 20% by the Government of Kazakhstan, and 5% by Lukarco of Russia. The Karachaganak natural gas and gas condensate field is being developed by BG, Agip, ChevronTexaco, and Lukoil. Also Chinese, Indian and Korean oil companies are involved in the Kazakhstan's oil industry.

Kazakhstan has three oil refineries: in Pavlodar, in Atyrau, and in Shymkent. Pavlodar and Shymkent refineries process West Siberian crude oil, which is imported through the Omsk (Russia) - Pavlodar (Kasakhstan) - Shymkent - Türkmenabat (Turkmenistan) pipeline.cite news | author = Mikhail Alexandrov | url = http://www.cerc.unimelb.edu.au/bulletin/bulfeb98.htm | title = Russian-Kazakh Contradictions on the Caspian Sea Legal Status. Russian and Euro-Asian Bulletin | publisher = CERC - Contemporary Europe Research Centre | date = February 1998 | accessdate = 2007-05-26]

Natural gas

Kazakhstan owns proven natural gas reserves around 1500-2500 billion cubic meter (bcm)(47 Tcf), eleventh in the world. However, Kazakhstan became a net gas exporter only in 2003.cite news | url=http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/Kazakhstan/NaturalGas.html | title=Kazakhstan energy data, statistics and analysis - gas | publisher=US Energy Information Agency | date=October 2006 | accessdate=2007-06-10] In 2005, Kazakhstan produced 16 bcm (620 bcf) of natural gas and plans to increase this to 60-80 bcm a year in the 10 years perspective. The major natural gas fields are Karachaganak, Tengiz, Kashagan, Amangeldy, Zhanazhol, Urikhtau and Chinarevskoye.cite news | url=http://www.gasandoil.com/goc/news/ntc54177.htm | title=Outlook for Kazakhstan's gas industry | publisher=Alexander's Gas & Oil Connections | date=20 September 2005 | accessdate=2007-06-10]

Coal

Although Kazakhstan is a substantial producer of oil and gas, coal has dominated both energy production and consumption. [http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/1990/caspian_oil_gas98.pdf Caspian Oil and Gas] , International Energy Agency, 1998, ISBN 92-64-16095-7] It contains Central Asia's largest recoverable coal reserves, with 34.5 billion short tons of mostly anthracitic and bituminous coal. [http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/Kazakhstan/Coal.html Kazakhstan energy data, statistics and analysis - coal] , US Energy Information Agency] Major coal fields are Bogatyr and Severny. In 2005, Kazakhstan was the 9th biggest producer of coal in the world, and the 10th global exporter. [http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2006/key2006.pdf Key World Energy Statistics. 2006 Edition] , International Energy Agency 2006] Russia is the largest importer of Kazakh coal, followed by Ukraine. The biggest coal production company is Bogatyr Access Komir, which accounts for approximately 35% of Kazakh coal output.

Uranium

Kazakhstan is the third country in the world for uranium production volumes, and it owns the world second biggest uranium reserves after Australia (around 1.5 million tons or nearly 19% of the explored reserves of uranium in the world). [http://www.world-nuclear.org/sym/2004/dzhakishev.htm Uranium production in Kazakhstan as a potential source for covering the world uranium shortage] , by Moukhtar Dzhakishev, World Nuclear Association Annual Symposium 2004] [ [http://silkroadintelligencer.com/2008/05/21/uranium-and-nuclear-power-in-kazakhstan/ Uranium and Nuclear Power in Kazakhstan] , by Silk Road Intelligencer, 21 May 2008] In 2006 Kazakhstan produced 5,279 metric tons of uranium, of which 3,010 metric tons were produced by Kazatomprom, a state-owned holding company. [ [http://www.kazatomprom.kz/cgi-bin/index.cgi?nc111&version=en Kazatomprom ups uranium production 4% in 2006] , by Interfax-Kazakhstan, 26 January 2007] Kazatomprom also represents Kazakhstan in the joint ventures with Russian Tekhsnabexport, French AREVA and Canadian Cameco.

All of produced uranium is going for export as the country's only nuclear power plant in Aqtua was shut down in June 1999. There is a plan to build a new 1,500 MW nuclear plant in the southeast of Kazakhstan, near Lake Balkash. [http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/Kazakhstan/Electricity.html Kazakhstan energy data, statistics and analysis - electricity] , US Energy Information Agency]

Electricity

The Law on Electricity was adopted in July 2004. Another basic act regulating electricity market is the Law on Natural Monopolies, which was last amended in December 2004. The market regulator is the Agency for Regulation of Natural Monopolies (ANMR).

Kazakhstan's electricity system includes 71 power plants with total installed capacity of 18,572 MW. [http://www.iern.net/country_factsheets/market-kazakhstan.htm Kazakhstan – electricity market] , International energy regulation network] the largest power plant is a coal-fired AES Ekibastuz GRES-1 in north-central Kazakhstan.

86.5% of electric power generation has been privatized. The government does not regulate prices for electricity, and consumers have free choice among providers of electric power (currently there is 15 licensed electricity traders). [http://www.erranet.org/AboutUs/Members/Profiles/Kazakhstan Kazakhstan profile] , Energy Regulators Regional Association] Transmission system is owned and operated by the state-owned company KEGOC. As of 1 January2006, the total length of transmission lines was 23,383 km. [http://www.iern.net/country_factsheets/market-kazakhstan.htm Kazakhstan – electricity market] , International energy regulation network] There are 18 regional distribution (sale) companies. Government regulates transmission and distribution tariffs.

Renewable energy

Kazakhstan possesses 5 operational hydroelectric plants which provide roughly 12% of the electricity generation. The majority of the facilities are located on the Irtysh River. Other renewables are largely undeveloped although Kazakhstan has potential in renewable energy resources. Renewable energy sources could be particularly attractive in isolated rural areas.

Nuclear energy

There is a plan to build a new 1,500 MW nuclear plant in the southeast of Kazakhstan, near Lake Balkash. [http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/Kazakhstan/Electricity.html Kazakhstan energy data, statistics and analysis - electricity] , US Energy Information Agency]

Energy transportation

Kazakhstan's oil pipeline system is operated by KazTransOil which was formed in 1997 when the two previous oil pipeline companies were combined. It is owed 100% by KazMunaiGaz which is also the owner of KazTransGaz which along with KazRosGaz are the two principle gas transportation companies. KazRosGaz is a joint venture between KazMunaiGaz and Gazprom which is involved in the export and trade of gas with Russia.

Oil pipelines

Main oil export routes are the Caspian Pipeline Consortium and the Atyrau-Samara oil pipeline to Russia, and Kazakhstan-China oil pipeline to China. Kazakhstan is also a transit country for the Omsk (Russia) -Pavlodar (Kasakhstan) -Shymkent - Türkmenabat (Turkmenistan) pipeline. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and Neka in Iran could be supplied by oil tankers. In addition, for the export to neighboring countries the rail transport is used.

The Kazakhstan oil infrastructure is considered to be in poor condition which has constrained possible exports. Currently exports excluding the Caspian Pipeline Consortium is limited to convert|500000|oilbbl/d|m3/d|abbr=on. Kazakhstan is also further hampered as the oil piplene infrastructure is not not set up to transport oil from the producing assets in the west to the main refineries located in the east of the country. The CPC provides an important outlet for Kazakhstan oil and it it is expected that it will be up graded so as to export close to 15 MMbbls/d.

Natural gas pipelines

The natural gas trunk pipeline system stretches about 10,000 kilometers. The major transit pipelines are the Central Asia-Center gas pipeline system and the Bukhara-Urals pipeline, which transport natural gas from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to Russia, and Orenburg-Novopskov pipeline and Soyuz pipeline from Orenburg processing plant to Europe. The Gazli-Bishkek pipeline transports natural gas from Uzbekistan to Kyrgyzstan. The Central Asia-Center and the Bukhara-Urals pipelines as also the Bukhara-Tashkent-Bishkek-Almaty pipeline are also main import pipelines. The main gas export goes to Orenburg processing plant in Russia. The export to Russia goes also through the Central Asia-Center and the Bukhara-Urals pipelines. There is plan to build a natural gas pipeline to China. To supply this pipeline, the Ishim (Rudny)-Petropavlovsk-Kokshetau-Astana pipeline is planned.

International cooperation

Kazakhstan - the European Union

On 4 December 2006, Kazakhstan and the European Union signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which sets the framework for deeper energy cooperation. The memorandum establishes road maps on energy security and industrial cooperation. It was accompanied by a co-operation agreement to develop nuclear trade. [ [http://www.euractiv.com/en/energy/eu-kazakhstan-strengthen-energy-links/article-160243 EU, Kazakhstan strengthen energy links] , by Euraktiv 5 December 2006] [http://www.iii.co.uk/news/?type=afxnews&articleid=5881794&subject=economic&action=article EU and Kazakhstan sign agreement on closer energy ties] Interactive Investor]

Kazakhstan - Russia

Kazakhstan and Russia have close cooperation on energy issues. On 3 October 2006 during the presidents' meeting in Oral, Kazakhstan and Russia agreed to set up a gas-condensate-processing joint venture between Gazprom and KazMunayGas in Orenburg, which will be supplied from the Karachaganak field.cite news |url=http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/10/468d421d-4e46-4bff-9711-dcb2fb5417fb.html |title=Russia, Kazakhstan Sign Energy Deal |publisher=Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty |date=2006-10-03 |accessdate=2007-06-10] The gas supply agreement was signed on 10 May 2007 in Astana.cite news | url=http://en.rian.ru/business/20070510/65243376.html | title=Russia, Kazakhstan agree to set up gas processing JV in S.Urals | publisher=RIA Novosti |date=2007-05-10 | accessdate=2007-06-10]

On 7 December 2006, the Kazakhstan's Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Baktykozha Izmukhambetov and the chief of the Russian Federal Atomic Energy Agency Sergei Kiriyenko signed an agreement, in which Russia pledged to assist Kazakhstan in its nuclear program in return for shipments of uranium from Kazakhstan to Russia, where the uranium will be enriched. In addition, President of Kazatomprom Moukhtar Dzhakishev, and director of Russian uranium trader Tekhsnabexport Vladimir Smirnov signed a deal in which Tekhsnabexport will provide information regarding construction, transportation and logistics to help Kazakhstan develop its nuclear program. Russia already agreed earlier in 2006 to help Kazakhstan build two nuclear power plants.cite news | url=http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/12360.html | title=Kazakhstan, Russia strike nuke deal | publisher=Earth Times |date=2006-12-07 | accessdate=2007-06-10] cite news | url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/061207/19/11p8o.html | title=Russian-Kazakh uranium company aims to dominate market | publisher=AFP |date=2006-12-07 | accessdate=2007-06-10] On 10 May 2007, Russia and Kazakhstan agreed to set up an international uranium enrichment center in Angarsk, East Siberia. The center is planned to come on stream in 2013.cite news | url=http://en.rian.ru/russia/20070510/65233073.html | title=Russia, Kazakhstan sign deal on uranium enrichment center | publisher=RIA Novosti |date=2007-05-10 | accessdate=2007-06-10]

On 12 May 2007, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan and Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow of Turkmenistan signed an agreement providing for Central Asian gas to be exported to Europe through the reconstructed and expanded western branch of the Central Asia-Center gas pipeline system. [cite news |url=http://www.neurope.eu/view_news.php?id=73862 |title=Putin deal torpedoes Trans-Caspian gas pipeline plans |publisher=New Europe (Belgium) |date=2007-05-17 |accessdate=2007-05-19] [cite news |url=http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2007/05/13/afx3715292.html |title=Russia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan agree landmark gas pipeline deal |publisher=Forbes |date=2007-05-13 |accessdate=2007-05-19]

ee also

*Anti-nuclear movement in Kazakhstan

References