Fuel supply to suffice for two weeks, says Kazakh Energy Ministry

Gasoline and diesel fuel in Kazakhstan should be enough for about two weeks, Kazakh Energy Minister Bolat Akchulakov announced at the Government’s meeting. He said that the overall reserves of the AI-92 gasoline, which are located at tank farms and en route, amount to 180,000 tonnes, which covers the need for 14 days. As for diesel fuel, its stock will not be enough for two weeks. It totals a little more than 220,000 tonnes, despite the fact that oil refineries produce fuel in sufficient quantities, the minister said.

“As I said, the reserves at oil refineries amount to nearly 50,000 tonnes. However, the process of shipment of petroleum products from such facilities is not regular. There are not enough supplies of empty tank cars. Delivery time of wagons to destination points has been prolonged,” said Akchulakov.

The country’s Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov instructed to appoint a commission in order to avoid shortage and spike in prices for petroleum, oil, and lubricants.

“I am instructing to appoint a permanent commission to control prices and prevent shortages of petroleum, oil, and lubricants. The Ministry of National Economy, together with the Agency for the Protection of Competition and local administrations, should take appropriate measures in response to unreasonable price rise,” said Smailov.

The Ministry of Industry, KazMunayGas and KazTemirZholy companies were assigned to arrange for the timely shipment of petroleum products from refineries. Smailov also instructed the Ministries of Digital Development and Energy to speed up the introduction of an information system to control the daily limits for diesel fuel sales.