The statement of the representative of company QazaqGaz JSC that Kazakhstan could stop exporting gas as early as next winter caused a great resonance in society. Experts at the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan spoke about the likely consequences of such a measure. Arman Kasenov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of QazaqGaz NC JSC said in February this year that there would be no shortage of gas in the next autumn-winter period, but only due to the lack of exports, Zakon.kz reports.
"Taking into account the growth of gas consumption within Kazakhstan, QazaqGaz cannot count on exports in the next autumn-winter period," he added.
Gas export is carried out on a residual basis, subject to full satisfaction of domestic needs, and depends on the stability of supplies by subsoil users to the national operator, as well as domestic gas consumption, the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan said.
In general, in recent years there has been a downward trend in gas exports by Kazakhstan.
"Over the past five years, from 2017 to 2022, with an increase in gas consumption from 13.8 billion m3 in 2017 to 19.3 billion m3 in 2022, gas exports decreased from 12.4 billion m3 to 4.6 billion m3 in 2022. Currently, Kazakh gas exports are exported to China. Given the ongoing annual growth in domestic gas consumption, a decrease in gas resources for export is expected in the medium term," the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan announced.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
March 31, 2023