OREANDA-NEWS. December 21, 2009. Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Karim Massimov, WKO Akim, Baktykozha Izmukhambetov, other RoK officials, top management of Karachaganak Petroleum Operating B.V. company officially launched the first leg of the Karachaganak-Uralsk gas pipeline being built by KPO in the Western Kazakhstan Oblast, reported the press-centre of KPO.

The top management of Karachaganak Petroleum Operating B.V (KPO) welcomed the Prime Minister’s delegation to the ceremony in Fedorovka village marking the successful completion of the first leg of the pipeline.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Karim Massimov, said in his opening address: “The task set by the head of the state has been implemented and a new gas pipeline that provides gas to eleven settlements has been built. The pipeline goes through the territory of five districts and it potentially allows for gasification of 146 settlements within Western Kazakhstan Oblast. One hundred thousand our citizens will now be able to heat their houses thanks to this gas pipeline. This is a great achievement”.

KPO General Director, Giuseppe Pasi, said: “The development of Karachaganak has brought significant benefits to the region’s economy and to the communities within the West Kazakhstan Oblast and the successful completion of the first leg of the Karachaganak-Uralsk pipeline is another excellent example of this.

Today’s event is significant both from economical and social perspectives since not only it represents the tangible result from the co-operation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Karachaganak Partners, but is also a powerful incentive for the continued development of Western Kazakhstan Oblast.“

“This important social project will support the development of Kazakhstan’s domestic gas market, as well as encourage further industrial growth by delivering much needed energy to more than eight thousand households within the Western Kazakhstan Oblast”, added Giuseppe Pasi.

The second leg of the Karachaganak-Uralsk pipeline is planned for completion in the second half of 2010. A Kazakh company KazStroyService (KSS) was contracted by KPO to build the pipeline.

Once fully complete, the Karachaganak-Uralsk pipeline will supply natural gas to the villages situated on the left bank of the Ural River along the way between Karachaganak field and Uralsk City. In addition to stable supply of natural gas, this project is also bringing employment opportunities, enhanced local capacity, skills transfer and associated infrastructure upgrades.

In addition, during his working visit to Western Kazakhstan Oblast, Prime Minister Karim Masimov took part in the opening ceremony of ‘Bolashak’ kindergarten in Uralsk for 280 children, which was built as part of KPO social programme.