Residents of the Mangystau and Atyrau regions had previously reported long queues at autogas filling stations and complained about a shortage of liquefied petroleum gas. The Ministry of Energy stated that the regions are supplied with fuel in volumes exceeding the calculated demand.
WHAT HAPPENED
Earlier, local media reported long queues at autogas filling stations in the Mangystau region and a rush at autogas filling stations in the Atyrau region.
According to Lada.kz, signs reading "Gaz zhok" ("No gas") were placed at some autogas filling stations in the city of Aktau, and long queues formed at operating LPG filling stations. Drivers also reported that waiting times for refuelling exceeded an hour.
WHAT THE MINISTRY SAID
According to the Ministry of Energy, circulating reports of a possible link between local disruptions and a reduction in production at the Karachaganak field do not correspond to reality.
The ministry emphasised that planned maintenance at the field does not negatively affect the supply of fuel and lubricants to the domestic market, and domestic consumers are receiving fuel as normal.
WHAT VOLUMES OF GAS WERE SENT TO THE REGIONS
In June, 19,500 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas were sent to the Mangystau region, against a stated demand of 18,000 tonnes. An additional 1,500 tonnes were allocated by JSC "SNPS-Aktobemunaigas" to cover increased demand.
The department noted that these volumes are sufficient to supply the local vehicle fleet and transit transport, and that shipments continue daily.
In the Atyrau region, the estimated demand is 9,000 tonnes. Considering the scheduled preventative maintenance at the Atyrau Oil Refinery, the Ministry of Energy sent reserve batches of fuel to the region in advance. As a result, the region is supplied with more than 11,600 tonnes of liquefied gas in June.
CONTEXT
Earlier, Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov reported that Kazakhstan had reduced daily gas production at the Karachaganak field from 34,000 to 25,000 tonnes. According to him, the reduction in production did not affect the country's gas supply — supplies to consumers continue in full.
Furthermore, it was reported that Kazakhstan decided to reduce import customs duties on fuel and lubricants to zero in order to stimulate supplies from third countries, primarily from China.
According to Reuters, citing industry sources, Russia is considering the possibility of importing around 50,000 tonnes of AI-92 petrol from Kazakhstan amid a reduction in its own fuel production. This option is being discussed as one of the measures to reduce the fuel shortage on the domestic market. At the same time, the Minister of Energy stated that Kazakhstan had not received an official request from the Russian side regarding petrol supplies.
