KazCham

Astana Times

A new, two-year support program for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kazakhstan has been launched by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Tengizchevroil (TCO), Kazakhstan’s top oil producer, the EBRD announced Oct. 6.

The roughly $515,000 program, which will run from 2015–2017, will cover SMEs across Kazakhstan and promote entrepreneurship and help promising SMEs innovate, compete and reach new markets, according to the EBRD. It will include existing and potential suppliers to TCO, which operates the country’s giant Tengiz oilfield, as well as SMEs with no links to the company, according to the EBRD.

The program aims to increase SME access to know-how and finance, strengthen links between businesses and to improve the market for advice and the exchange of best practices through business clinics and seminars on strategy, marketing, human resource management, finance and bookkeeping and other topics. Eligible SMEs will also have a chance to work with local consultants and international industry experts on a cost-sharing basis, with the possibility of having up to 75 percent of their costs covered, the EBRD announced.

Business Intelligence from Colibri Law Firm: Issue #96

Bechtel has been awarded a contract to provide engineering, procurement, and construction services to build four crude-oil storage tanks at the TengizChevroil oil production facility in Tengiz, Kazakhstan. The company also will modernize the fire and gas detection systems across the entire crude tank farm. TengizChevroil is a joint venture of Chevron, ExxonMobil, KazMunayGas, and LukArco.

The project will add to the existing facility 500,000 barrels of tank storage, export pumps, interconnecting pipe, switching manifolds, a monitoring station, associated facilities, and supporting infrastructure.

JV “Tengizchevroil” (TCO), a developer of the Tengiz and Korolev oil fields (Atyrau) is looking for alternative ways to deliver oil. Currently Tengiz oil is sold around the world, and is transported via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) pipeline, by rail to Aktau and further to Batumi and Kulevi, as well as to Odessa and Feodosiya. The CPC pipeline is the major route of transportation of Tengiz raw materials.

Earlier TCO already sent their oil in the direction of the Asian markets, and now as part of its diversification policy is once again ready to restart this type of delivery.

Business Intelligence from Colibri Law Firm: Issue #70

* Tengizchevroil plans 12-mln-tonne per year oil processing plant

* First oil expected to flow 2018

* Kazakhstan planning major expansion in oil output by 2020 (Adds foreign expansion plans)

By Maria Gordeyeva

ALMATY, Oct 7 (Reuters) – Tengizchevroil (TCO), the Chevron-led oil venture in Kazakhstan, is considering borrowing on capital markets to help finance a planned $18.5 billion expansion project, Kazakh state oil and gas firm KazMunaiGas said.

KazMunaiGas (KMG) holds 20 percent in TCO, where Chevron holds 50 percent, ExxonMobil 25 percent and Russia’s LUKOIL 5 percent.

“At this (expansion) stage TCO plans building an oil processing plant with an annual capacity of 12 million tonnes of oil per year,” KMG said in a written response to Reuters questions.

“The first oil (at this stage) is forecast to flow in 2018. After the implementation of the project, the consolidated volume of oil output at the Tengiz and Korolyovskoye fields will total 37 million tonnes to 40 million tonnes per year.”

Last year TCO increased output by 15 percent to 25.9 million tonnes, cementing its position as the largest oil producer in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan, Central Asia’s largest economy, is the second-largest crude producer in the former Soviet Union after Russia.

Kazakhstan plans to produce 80.4 million tonnes of oil in 2011, which would increase to 132.1 million tonnes by 2020.

The start-up of the Kashagan field in the Caspian Sea, run by another international consortium, North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC), will be the main driver of the forecast growth.

KMG, which owns 16.81 percent in NCOC, said it also did not rule out borrowing to finance its share in the development of the giant field.

“The project of Kashagan’s development is financed with the company’s own funds, but in the future, if there is a lack of own funds, the project will be financed with borrowed capital,” KMG said.

“The current oil price on international markets allows KMG to fund independently a number of large investment projects, including the North Caspian project.”

Commercial production at the first phase of Kashagan is scheduled to begin by the end of 2012 or early 2013.

EXPANSION ABROAD

KazMunaiGas plans to boost its crude output to 33.7 million tonnes by 2020 from this year’s forecast of 22.1 million tonnes, the company said this week.

KMG controls London-listed KazMunaiGas Exploration Production (KMGq.L) (KMG EP) and includes its output and financial indicators in its consolidated results.

The company and its production subsidiary have repeatedly stated their intention to develop business beyond Kazakhstan’s borders. In August last year KMG EP agreed to acquire 35 pct in a North Sea exploration licence owned by BG .

In May this year KMG EP withdrew from talks to develop the Akkas natural gas field in Iraq jointly with South Korea’s KOGAS . The Korean company will now develop Iraq’s largest gas field on its own.

KazMunaiGas told Reuters it was looking for new business opportunities abroad.

“The main elements of expanding our business geography are winning new contracts in the near abroad (the CIS), where Turkmenistan and Russia are of particular interest,” KMG said.

“… and acquiring new promising assets in the far abroad — Iraq, Iran and North Africa — and forming strategic alliances with international partners to purchase foreign assets,” it added. KMG did not elaborate. (Writing by Dmitry Solovyov; Editing by Robin Paxton and David Cowell).

SOURCE: http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/10/07/kazmunaigas-idINL5E7L713X20111007

ENERGY:

Tengizchevroil pays $11.5-million environmental fine – PGO (SRI)

KMG, Sinopec sign agreement on cooperation (SRI)

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY:

Kazakhstan faces growing need for warehouse space
(bne) – New modern warehouses are being built in Kazakhstan, but the country still has a pressing need for more, especially in the far-flung central and western cities where food is still stored in rat-infested Soviet buildings.

KASE Index falls 6.74% on Thursday and Friday (SRI)

BAE may sell part of Air Astana stake in preparations for “people’s IPO” (SRI)

Kazakhstan to produce 25 million tonnes of grains this year (SRI)

Kazkommertsbank to liquidate Netherlands-registered subsidiary (SRI)

Kazakhstan sees GDP growth at 7% for 10 years – Foreign Minister (Reuters)

Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan to commission rail link in October (SRI)

Kazakhstan keen to expand UAE trade ties (Khaleej Times)

Tajik Air planes refuel in Kazakhstan (Trend)

Kazakhstan not to export wheat to Iran (Trend)

Indicators – September 23, 2011 (Reuters)

POLITICS AND SECURITY:

Russia, Kazakhstan may merge air defense systems – RIA Novosti (Bloomberg)

Nazarbayev reiterates Kazakhstan’s willingness to house nuclear fuel bank (Interfax)

SOCIETY:

Energy coin fuels Kazakh production plans (Variety)

REGIONAL:

Mongolia’s high plains herders warily eye coal truck (Reuters)

New ‘Silk Road’ eyed for Afghanistan (AFP)

SOURCE: http://silkroadintelligencer.com/2011/09/26/kazakhstan-daily-news-roundup-september-26-2011/

ENERGY:

KazMunaiGas launches construction of Beyneu-Shymkent pipeline
(SRI) – KazMunaiGas officially started the construction of the Beyneu-Shymkent gas pipeline, which will connect the north and the south of the country and link to the Central Asia – China pipeline, the oil company said in a statement on Tuesday.

Tengizchevroil to resume drilling in 2012 (SRI)

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY:

KASE Index falls 2.57% on Tuesday (SRI)

Kazakhstan’s foreign reserves increase by 0.8% in August – central bank (SRI)

On the move: Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (SRI)

Kazakh section of Western Europe – Western China highway to be completed in 2012, 2013(SRI)

Steppe Cement improves performance in H1 (SRI)

Fitch affirms VTB Kazakhstan at BBB- (SRI)

Indicators – September 6, 2011 (Reuters)

POLITICS AND SECURITY:

Astana confronts extremist threat (EurasiaNet)

In short: Kazakh Foreign Minister visits China; Kazakhstan recognizes Libyan rebels; Pakistani PM visit Astana (SRI)

SOCIETY:

Writer vows to stage protests unless authorities meet demands of Kazakh-language advocates(Interfax)

Letter to President against use of Russian language unconstitutional – presidential advisor(Interfax)

Kazakh Islamic dating site targets pious lonely hearts (EurasiaNet)

SOURCE: http://silkroadintelligencer.com/2011/09/07/kazakhstan-daily-news-roundup-september-7-2011/

HEADLINES:

Kulibayev would succeed Nazarbayev if needed – presidential advisor
(SRI) – Timur Kulibayev, the powerful son-in-law of Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev, could succeed the aging leader, Nazarbayev’s confidant Yermukhamet Yertysbayev told a Russian newspaper.

Fast food on the steppe
(bne) – Americana Group has brought several fast food franchises – KFC, Pizza Hut and most recently Hardee’s – to the Kazakh market. But unlike Russia and the western part of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Kazakhstan has yet to see the arrival of McDonald’s and its big rival Burger King.

ENERGY:

Tethys shares start trading on LSE (SRI)

Fitch affirms Tengizchevroil notes, changes Outlook to Positive (SRI)

Kazakhstan’s Pavlodar refinery restarts after 30 days of repairs (Oil and Gas Eurasia)

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY:

Nurbank first-half income up 17-fold (SRI)

Kazakhstan’s grain harvest to reach 16-17 million tonnes in 2011 (SRI)

Kazakh Foreign Ministry denies notification of Ablyazov’s political shelter in the UK (Interfax)

Etihad Crystal Cargo announces new freighter operation to Almaty (LogisticsWeek)

Indicators – July 25, 2011 (Reuters)

METALS AND MINING:

Court hears ENRC bid to strike out $2-billion lawsuit (Reuters)

POLITICS AND SECURITY:

Kazakhstan objects to inclusion on “terror” list, but U.S. stands behind it (EurasiaNet)

SOURCE: http://silkroadintelligencer.com/2011/07/26/kazakhstan-daily-news-roundup-july-26-2011/

 

HEADLINES:

Karachaganak dispute close to resolution – sources
(SRI) – Karachaganak Petroleum Operating (KPO), the Western-led consortium developing the Karachaganak gas condensate field, is close to reaching an agreement with the Kazakh government on ceding a stake in the project to Kazakh oil and gas company KazMunaiGas, Reuters reported last week.

Tengizchevroil to invest up to $20 billion in expansion project
(SRI) – Tengizchevroil (TCO), the Chevron-led joint venture developing the giant Tengiz onshore field, plans to invest up to $20 billion by 2016 to raise production by nearly 40%, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing a senior company official.

China and Kazakhstan: Flourishing strategic partnership strengthens economic development as new tiger economy emerges in Central Asia
(SRI) – On an official visit to Kazakhstan last week, China’s President Hu Jintao and his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev signed agreements which will bring the economic and strategic partnership between the countries to “historic” new levels.

ENERGY:

KMG to explore oil block with Spanish Repsol (SRI)

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY:

Kazmortransflot to spend $800 million to upgrade fleet
(SRI) – Kazmortransflot, the maritime shipping arm of the state-owned oil and gas company KazMunaiGas, plans to spend about $800 million to upgrade its fleet over the next eight years.

OTP Bank considering expansion into Kazakhstan (SRI)

Indicators – June 17, 2011 (Reuters)

POLITICS:

Kazakh President’s ex-son-in-law charged with murder (Telegraph)

Murder rap in Rakhatgate – four years on (EurasiaNet)

REGIONAL:

On the Caspian shore, a tale of two Turkmenistans (Reuters)

Tajiks riot in football match with president’s son (AFP)

Tajikistan detains BBC reporter for ‘Islamist links’ (AFP)

SOURCE: http://silkroadintelligencer.com/2011/06/20/kazakhstan-daily-news-roundup-june-20-2011/

HEADLINES:

EDB ready to raise funds
(bne) – The Eurasian Development Bank was quick to raise money on international financial markets in its first few months of operation. Four years on, it has no urgent need for funds, but all the tools are in place, allowing it to spring into action when required.

Tengizchevroil sets daily production record
(SRI) – Tengizchevroil (TCO), the Chevron-led venture developing the giant Tengiz oil field, this week set a new daily crude production record of more than 624,000 barrels of crude oil per day, TCO’s new CEO Tim Miller said Wednesday.

Kazakh wealth fund eyes $2 bln in loans for ENRC
(Reuters) – Kazakh sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna plans to help miner ENRC attract around $2 billion in loans, possibly from Chinese banks, to develop its iron ore unit, the head of the fund said on Wednesday.

ENERGY:

Rosneft halts talks with Lukoil on buying CPC pipeline stake (RIA Novosti)

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY:

Steppe Cement market share grows to 21.5% (SRI)

Kazakhstan average grain production to grow to 17.8 million tonnes until 2015 (SRI)

Russia-Kazakhstan nanotechnology venture fund moves closer to founding (Nanowerk)

REGIONAL:

Kyrgyzstan to vote amid fear of more violence (Reuters)

Tajik military helicopter crash kills 28 – sources (Reuters)

SOURCE: http://silkroadintelligencer.com/2010/10/07/kazakhstan-daily-news-roundup-october-7-2010/

HEADLINES:

Kashagan partners to delay second phase of development until 2018-19
(SRI) – The second phase of development of the Kashagan oil field has been postponed until 2018-2019, local newswires reported on Thursday, citing the chief executive of Kazakh oil and gas company KazMunaiGas.

Tame ending to “Mr Kazakhstan” investigation
(bne) – James Giffen, the American consultant dubbed “Mr Kazakhstan” for his role in 1990s oil deals, has pleaded guilty to a tax misdemeanor. He is facing a maximum penalty of just one year in jail and a $25,000 fine when he is sentenced in November.

Tengizchevroil may cut oil supply via Georgia
(Reuters) – The Chevron-led Tengizchevroil venture may cut crude deliveries via Georgia diverting them to Turkish hub of Ceyhan due to a row between the owners of the Georgian terminals.

ENERGY:

Aker enters Kazakh engineering JV (PennEnergy)

KazMunaiGas to invest $8 billion in Kashagan development project in 2010-2014 (Interfax)

Tengizchevroil to invest $10-16 billion before 2017 in Tengiz expansion project (Interfax)

Caspian Energy announces Q2 2010 financial results (Marketwire)

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY:

Kazakh rate cut would need lower inflation – central bank (Reuters)

Kazakh deal on grain genetics (Weekly Times)

National Bank of Kazakhstan: Exchange rates August 13, 2010 (Kazakhstan Today)

METAL AND MINING:

Orsu Metals announces Q2 2010 interim results (Marketwire)

Financial Police have yet to file fraud charges against Polyus Gold managers (Interfax)

POLITICS:

Kazakhstan gets UK’s OK for defense exports (EurasiaNet)

SOCIETY:

Two dead in Kazakh prison riot (BBC News)

REGIONAL:

Central Asia’s new Silk Roads (International Herald Tribune)

Several hundred Kyrgyz rally against OSCE deployment (Reuters)

Russian drought devours world wheat supplies – U.S. (AFP)

SOURCE: http://silkroadintelligencer.com/2010/08/13/kazakhstan-daily-news-roundup-august-13-2010/