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Our History — Built on Kazakhstan's Oil Legacy

The story of KazNPZ cannot be told without first understanding the remarkable oil history of the Mangystau Region. The fields surrounding Aktau have been producing crude oil for decades, with significant discoveries such as the Karazhanbas field — opened in 1974 with recoverable reserves estimated at 96.9 million tons — helping to establish this part of Kazakhstan as a critical energy zone long before the Republic of Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991.

The Mangystau Energy Heritage

Aktau — formerly known as Shevchenko during the Soviet era — was built as an industrial city to support petroleum and nuclear energy development along the Caspian coast. The region’s unique geology produces heavy, viscous crude oils that require specialised processing, and it was the demand for local refining of these grades that underpinned the rationale for establishing refining capacity in the area.

Post-Independence Growth

Following Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991 and the subsequent opening of the country’s energy sector to international investment, the Mangystau Region attracted significant capital. Projects including the Tengizchevroil joint venture (Tengiz field) and the development of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) route transformed Kazakhstan into a major oil exporter and created demand for expanded domestic refining infrastructure.

KazNPZ was established as part of this broader wave of private and industrial refining investment, focused specifically on processing the heavy crude grades characteristic of western Kazakhstan’s oilfields into products usable within Kazakhstan’s construction, transport, and industrial sectors.

Growth and Development

Since its establishment, KazNPZ has focused on reliable, consistent production of petroleum products aligned with the needs of the Kazakhstani market. As Kazakhstan’s government has implemented its National Oil Refining Development Concept (2024–2040) — targeting significant capacity increases across all refineries — KazNPZ is positioned to grow in parallel with the country’s broader refinery expansion ambitions.

Looking Ahead

Kazakhstan has ambitious plans to increase its total refining capacity to over 28 million tons per year, with new refinery construction targeted by 2030. KazNPZ aligns with this national direction, committed to expanding its own capabilities and contributing to Kazakhstan’s goal of full domestic self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products.