Kazakh-Chinese Caspi Bitum plant launched after upgradeThe ceremony marking the launch of the Caspi Bitum bitumen plant, operated by Caspi Bitum LLP, took place in Aktau on Monday following its modernization, as reported by the press service of NC KazMunayGas JSC (KMG).It was noted that the modernization has increased the plant’s annual oil refining capacity from 1 million to 1.5 million tonnes, while bitumen production has risen from 500,000 to 750,000 tonnes.As previously reported, the project, which began in November 2024, was carried out by general contractor CITIC Construction, a subsidiary of China’s CITIC Group. Capital investments in the project totaled 36.1 billion tenge.Initially, the project was scheduled for completion by the end of 2024, but the launch was later postponed to early 2025 to align with the start of the road construction season. However, the modernization of Caspi Bitum was finalized in late April, with the plant producing its first 740 tonnes of bitumen post-upgrade.Caspi Bitum LLP was established on a parity basis by Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas operator, KazMunayGas, and CITIC Group. The plant has been operational since December 2013, using crude oil from Karazhanbasmunai JSC’s fields as feedstock.In October 2023, during Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to China, an agreement was signed between KMG and CITIC Group to expand Caspi Bitum between 2024 and 2025, aiming to fully meet Kazakhstan’s domestic demand for locally produced bitumen.In January 2024, KMG also signed a bitumen supply agreement with KazAvtoZhol JSC, Kazakhstan’s national road management operator.In addition to the Aktau plant, bitumen in Kazakhstan is produced by the Pavlodar Oil Chemistry Refinery and two private facilities. The country’s total annual production of road bitumen stands at approximately 1 million tonnes. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX