Astana, 4 November, . Kazakhstan is keeping its 2026 oil production plan at 96 million tonnes and expects to produce about 99 million tonnes in 2027, and the site of a fourth oil refinery will be chosen by the end of the year, energy minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said at a press conference in the Government.
According to the minister, Mangystau, Atyrau and Ulytau regions are being considered for the fourth refinery. Separately, the ministry is studying a 2-million-tonne medium-sized plant in Aktobe region which, as Sputnik reports, would produce both motor and jet fuel: it would supply the domestic market and export to Central Asian countries, would take about two years to build, and a decision is due within one or two months. The production record of 99.376 million tonnes was set in 2025. On oil exports to Germany, the minister said he had personally handed the Russian side an official request for transit and was awaiting a reply; technically, he said, supplies could resume at any moment.
Asked about the terms of the review of the Tengiz contract — foreign media had written about a one-off payment of 10 billion dollars and a 35% stake instead of 20% — the minister said there were no supporting documents or facts. Before answering, Akkenzhenov asked the journalist to name her source. “How can one comment on information that has no basis?” he said.
What it means: The annual plan stays unchanged even though production at Tengiz in 2026 is below last year’s; the ministry is looking for new refining capacity in two places at once — a large plant in the west and a medium one in Aktobe.
Who benefits: The domestic market for fuel and jet kerosene, for which the new plants are being built, and Central Asian neighbours who will receive part of the output; the timing and cost of the fourth refinery have not been named.
Background: During 2026 the production plan was cut from 100.5 to 96 million tonnes; attacks near the CPC terminal and an accident at Tengiz were among the reasons cited.
We have also reported on TCO’s nine-month output and oil production in October.
