Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov arrived in Atyrau on a working visit to review the current situation at the Atyrau Oil Refinery and the progress of its restoration after an emergency shutdown.

The Government group toured the aromatic hydrocarbon production complex and the advanced oil refining complex. Here, Murat Dosmuratov, General Director of the refinery presented a report on the measures taken to bring the production to full capacity after the accident at Mangystau Atomic Energy Plant and the Atyrau Oil Refinery shutdown. He also said that a project for the construction of its own gas turbine power plant was under development.

The Prime Minister stressed that the Atyrau oil refinery is one of the most important enterprises for the stable development of the country's economy.

"On July 3, due to an emergency power outage, almost the entire plant was shut down. Similar situations took place two years ago. Even then it became clear that the enterprise needed its own source of power supply, we could make appropriate conclusions. Of course, this is not only the responsibility of the refinery, KazMunayGas should also have done the necessary work," Alikhan Smailov said.

As the Head of Government noted, such strategic facilities should obligatory have independent life-supporting sources. As for the Atyrau Refinery, Alikhan Smailov demanded accelerating the implementation of the project to launch its own gas turbine power plant.

"The plant is an object of strategic importance, it should not be dependent on external power supplies. That is, in case of an emergency shutdown, your own substation must be launched, which will ensure the stable operation of the enterprise. This project should not be stretched out until 2028, but should be implemented in the next 2-3 years. We need to accelerate this process," Prime Minister said, referring to the leaders of Mangystau Atomic Energy Plant and Atyrau Oil Refinery.

Murat Dosmuratov also informed Alikhan Smailov that despite the emergency situation, the shipment of oil products from the refinery did not stop and is still in the normal mode.

"The plant ships about 5,000 tons of gasoline and 6,000 tons of diesel fuel daily. At the moment the shipment is carried out from the accumulated stocks. As of today we have 22,000 tons of gasoline, 26,000 tons of diesel fuel and 5,000 tons of aviation kerosene in total. That is, we have enough oil products in stock to fulfill the shipment plan in full until the refinery reaches its full capacity," Atyrau Refinery General Director said.

#Alikhan Smailov #The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan #Energy #Regions #Working trip