Kazakhstan and China’s CNPC discussed expanding the Shymkent oil refinery’s capacity from 6 to 12 million tonnes of oil a year, inbusiness.kz reported, citing Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry. At a meeting in Astana, the two sides reviewed the project’s current status and next steps.
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What was discussed
Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov met with CNPC President Zhou Xinhuai. Their talks covered cooperation in exploration, production, transportation and processing of hydrocarbons. One of the central topics was the expansion of PetroKazakhstan Oil Products LLP, or PKOP, which operates the Shymkent refinery.
According to the ministry, the project would double the refinery’s annual crude oil processing capacity. The 12-million-tonne figure is a planned capacity, rather than an indication that the expansion has been completed.
Earlier reporting confirms the capacity target
In a separate report published on 8 October 2025 and updated on 13 October, Kursiv reported a direct response from KazMunayGas to its own inquiry. The company confirmed that the project envisaged expanding Shymkent’s capacity from 6 to 12 million tonnes a year.
KazMunayGas told Kursiv at the time that the project was being developed, with implementation planned for 2023–2030 and completion of the feasibility study expected in 2026. These were the company’s stated plans in October 2025. This reporting provides a separate source for the capacity target; it does not confirm the details of the latest meeting.
Why Kazakhstan is pursuing the expansion
The Energy Ministry says the planned increase would raise domestic oil refining capacity and support the country’s energy security. These are the ministry’s stated objectives for the project.
According to the ministry’s account of the latest talks, an agreement to consider the expansion as a separate initiative was reached during the Kazakh president’s visit to China in autumn 2025. Akkenzhenov also described CNPC as a strategic partner that has worked with Kazakhstan for more than 30 years.
Other topics on the agenda
The participants discussed gas chemical projects, fulfilment of existing contractual obligations, increasing local content and training personnel for the oil and gas sector. According to the Energy Ministry, Kazakhstan and CNPC expressed interest in continuing dialogue and working on agreed decisions.
