Kazakhstan’s Commitment to Increased Oil Shipments
Kazakhstan plans to enhance oil shipments to Germany through the Druzhba pipeline. Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliev made this announcement during a recent press briefing. He emphasized that the volume of oil depends on requests from the Schwedt refinery in Germany.
Details of the Agreement
Kazakhstan aims to supply Germany with 1.2 million tons of oil in 2025. This amount matches the planned supply for 2024. Satkaliev noted that Germany expressed interest in increasing this volume. However, producers must submit requests before specific amounts can be determined.
Kaztransoil, the pipeline operator, plans to deliver 1.2 million tons of Kazakh oil to Germany in 2024. This figure marks an increase from the 993,000 tons supplied in 2023. The Kazakh government remains ready to boost supplies based on demand from German refineries.
In March 2024, German companies sought to increase oil supplies through Druzhba to 2 million tons. Ongoing discussions aim to fulfill this request. The collaboration between Kazakhstan and Germany highlights their strong energy partnership.
Infrastructure and Maintenance
Satkaliev also updated the public on Kazakhstan’s oil infrastructure. He confirmed that maintenance work at the Kashagan field finished ahead of schedule. This allows full operations to resume by November 1, boosting Kazakhstan’s production capacity.
Kazakhstan initially projected an oil production target of 90.3 million tons for the year. However, repair work prompted a revision of this estimate. These adjustments reflect challenges in maintaining production while ensuring reliable infrastructure.
Strengthening Energy Security
Kazakhstan’s commitment to increasing oil supplies aligns with Germany’s energy security goals. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently visited Kazakhstan and acknowledged the significance of Kazakh oil supplies. His appreciation for this collaboration underscores the strategic importance of their partnership.
Italian energy company Eni also expanded operations in Europe. It began shipping oil from Kazakhstan to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline. This move further integrates Kazakhstan into the European energy market and strengthens its role as a reliable supplier.
Kazakhstan’s intention to boost oil supplies to Germany through the Druzhba pipeline marks a significant development in energy relations. The collaboration between Kazakhstan and Germany continues to grow, driven by mutual interests. As negotiations progress, both countries commit to enhancing energy security in an evolving market.