OREANDA-NEWS. June 26, 2014. The Government approved the general scheme of gasification until 2030. It has been announced by Minister of Oil and Gas Uzakbai Karabalin.

"By 2030, 13 regions out of existing 16 will be gasified. It is expected that gas consumption by region will increase from the current 10.9 billion cubic meters to 18 billion cubic meters by 2030," Karabalin said in a briefing at CCS.

According to him, Kazakhstan’s general gasification scheme has been developed for the first time. "This document defines an economically sound strategic direction to ensure reliable gas supply to consumers of Kazakhstan. Currently, the draft resolution of the Government has been approved by all state bodies and Akimats of the regions, except MEBP," Minister said.

As part of the development of the scheme, 3 scenarios of gasification have been developed:

pessimistic scenario – to continue gasification in "traditionally" gas areas (south and west);

realistic scenario, where implementation of measures in previously gasified regions and gasification of new customers in the areas located near major trunk gas pipelines, and gasification of Astana and Akmola region’s settlements is provided;

optimistic scenario, developed on the basis of regional gasification schemes by requests of Akimats and providing full-scale activities on gasification throughout the country.

According to the results of the expert evaluation, basic (realistic) scenario of gasification in Kazakhstan was presented for further approval.

10 regions out of 16 have currently been gasified: western and southern regions of the country and the city of Almaty. Mainly, territories of north, center and east of the country have not been gasified.