Kazakhstan’s Atyrau oil refinery
Kazakhstan’s upstream feels the strain
Flat oil growth in 2024 highlights mounting industry problems
Kazakhstan’s upstream sector is set to post stagnant growth this year despite increasing focus on the Middle Corridor—or Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR)—linking China with Europe and bypassing more geopolitically sensitive trade routes to the north and south. Central Asia’s largest country has enjoyed plenty of growth post-pandemic, but falling upstream investment, OPEC+ production cuts, and legal challenges against some of its largest oil and gas projects are set to stymie growth in 2024. “The high investment growth observed in previous years was primarily due to the Tengiz expansion project, which is no longer the case,” said Sanzhar Kaldarov, chief analyst at the Kazakh
Also in this section
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
1 April 2026
The US-Iran conflict demonstrates the need for diversification in several senses of the word. It also exposes the limits of Washington applying pressure on major oil and gas producers it considers geopolitical adversaries
31 March 2026
Disappointing results in its bidding round are a reality check for Libya, and global exploration generally
