OREANDA-NEWS. August 27, 2014. Karachaganak Petroleum Operating B.V. (KPO) has announced that, in accordance with a RoK Government decree, during 2014-2016 inclusive, KPO will additionally allocate USD10 million per annum for development of social infrastructure in the Burlin region of West Kazakhstan Oblast (WKO).

The allocation of the additional funds was initiated by WKO akimat and supported by the RoK Ministry of Oil and Gas (currently RoK Ministry of Energy) and The Authority – PSA, LLP.

KPO General Director, Damiano Ratti, said: “KPO and the Karachaganak Partners welcome the decision of the RoK Government that will allow the local authorities in co-operation with KPO to address a number of communal and infrastructural issues in the town of Aksai and other settlements in the Burlin region.

“While delivering on its operation commitments, KPO as a responsible corporate citizen, works towards generating maximum social and economic benefits from the Karachaganak field for the local communities and the Republic of Kazakhstan as a whole”, he added.

Every year KPO implements a significant number of large social infrastructure development projects in WKO.  The list of priority projects is defined by the West Kazakhstan Oblast administration, principally focused on the construction of healthcare, education, culture and sports facilities.  All projects are carried out by Kazakh contractors only.  To date, KPO has allocated more than \\$270 million for social infrastructure development projects in WKO.

KPO’s efforts to develop the region’s social infrastructure have often been recognized at the national Paryz Corporate Social Responsibility Competition, where KPO has won several prestigious awards.