Russia's Gazprom and the Kazakhstan government have signed a memorandum of understanding on the launch of a new large-scale gas pipeline connecting the two countries.
The deal was reached at a meeting between Kazakhstan's First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar and Gazprom President Alexei Miller this week at the St. Petersburg International Gas Forum. Petersburg (SPIGF) for the 14th time.
According to Gazprom's statement, the memorandum of understanding outlines a framework for the construction of a new gas pipeline from Russia to Kazakhstan. The project aims to strengthen bilateral energy cooperation and meet Kazakhstan's growing gas demand.
In addition to the pipeline agreement, the two sides signed a preliminary document on the long-term handling of Kazakhstan's gas in Russia. The document includes the modernization of the Orenburg Gas Treatment Plant, where gas from Kazakhstan's Karachaganak mine will be processed.
During the meeting, officials emphasized their commitment to strengthening energy relations and expanding cooperation in the field of gas supply and treatment. The discussions reflect the growing partnership between the two countries, especially as Kazakhstan looks to improve gas access in the northern and northeastern regions.
The proposed gas pipeline project has been included in the planning of the territory for transport infrastructure of the Russian Federation. A corresponding decree was signed by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on February 18.
According to the current proposal, the pipeline will have a transport capacity of 10 billion cubic meters per year, including gas compressors with a total capacity of 50 megawatt. The pipeline will pass through several cities in Russia's Tyumen region, bordering Kazakhstan's North Kazakhstan.
As part of a long-term strategy, both Russia and Kazakhstan are studying the feasibility of developing a gas infrastructure capable of transporting up to 45 billion cubic meters of gas per year. Of that, 10 billion cubic metres will be allocated to Kazakhstan's domestic gas projects, while 35 billion cubic metres will be exported to China.
Kazakhstan is actively seeking options to supply gas to the northern and eastern territories of the country. In early 2023, Kazakhstan's then-Minister of Energy Bolat Akchulakov mentioned potential gas pipelines from Russia, including the Barnaul-Rubtsovsk-Semey-Ust-Kamenogorsk and Omsk-Pavlodar-Semey pipelines, each of which could have branches to neighboring areas.
A domestic initiative involving the expansion of the Saryarka gas pipeline connecting southern Kazakhstan with the capital Astana is in the first phase. Phase two and three of the pipeline are aimed at expanding the network to areas in northern and eastern Kazakhstan.
