ASTANA – KazTransGas and government officials are reviewing a feasibility study to build a pipeline that would fully supply natural gas to Astana residents by 2021.
Within a month, they will be able to calculate the efficiency of the new gas pipeline, gas tariffs for Astana residents and compare the costs with coal prices, said Energy Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, during a recent government meeting.
“The new gas pipeline will be connected to the gas pipeline, which stretches from the west of the country to the Kyzylorda region, then goes towards Zhezkazgan, passing through the Karaganda region, Astana and further to Kokshetau,” he said.
Bozumbayev also told the meeting that Global Gas Regasification, part of the Global Gas Group, has entered into an agreement with Gazprom Export to import 5,000 tonnes of low-tonnage liquefied natural gas from Russia. The shipment will be made by road.
He also noted that there is also a memorandum, according to which, by 2021, the volume of supplies will reach 320,000 tonnes of liquefied gas, which is enough to meet the current fuel needs in Astana and parts of the northern regions of the country.
“As for the private sector of Astana, the supply will start at the end of 2018. We’re planning to start with the Koktal residential area. We are sure that in the 2018-2019 heating season, heating in Koktal will be ensured with natural gas. Before 2021, we believe we will provide full access to city residents. We will prepare the city for the construction of the main pipeline,” said Panayot Saulidi, head of Global Gas Regasification.
The first regasification station for liquefied natural gas Turan has already been put into operation in the capital. The launch of the new gas supply source is the first stage of the non-reflux gas supply process in northeastern Kazakhstan. Natural methane will also be supplied to Pavlodar, Ust-Kamenogorsk and Kokshetau.
“Today, we supply Russian gas, tomorrow it can be our gas. If we learn how to liquefy it in order to have a competitive price, then we will have it here, in Kazakhstan,” Saulidi added.
