What prevents the development of localization of IT services in the Kazakhstan Oil & Gas Industry

The first meeting of the digitalization managers of four major operators – TCO, NCOC, KPO and KMG, organized by Petrocouncil on the APEC PetroTechnic base revealed the urgent problems of the industry. The digitalization and localization of IT services is primarily hindered by the lack of high-quality local staff.

In order to establish effective communication between the operators, the state and the local community, as well as raise issues of localization of IT services, Petrocouncil initiated a meeting of managers responsible for digital transformation. The event was attended by Tengizchevroil LLP (TCO) Information Technology Advisor  Radomira Dorotsiak, representatives of Karachaganak Petrolium Operating (KPO) – Yermek Bekniyazov, North Kaspian Operating Company – Ivo Albers, AO NWF Samruk-Kazyna Zhandos Zhylkaidarov, SPE – Adi Nugmanov and educational institutions representatives –  “APEC PetroTechnic” higher college Shakirzhan Murzagaliyev and Almas Nuraliyev the employee of Atyrau University of Oil and Gas. Representatives of all companies told that they expect the academy to prepare high-quality data scientists, information and software engineers who understand the processes of oil production and refining.

The next problem that concerns all companies is the lack of clarity in the laws. Companies have to spend several months to understand what a certain law means and to set up the company’s processes. The third problem is that local companies are not yet able to implement large projects, they need to unite or find a platform that would allow them to work together, and this platform could be Atyrau Hub, initiated by the Petrocouncil. The project will start with the AtyrauEnergyChallenge, together with SPE and APEC PetroTechnic, where digitalisers from different regions of Kazakhstan will be invited.

The meeting resulted in the decision to hold such meetings on a quarterly base. In the meantime, the Petrocouncil will continue its active work on the development of RoK content in major oil and gas projects in Kazakhstan.