On March 27 in Beijing, the PetroCouncil Oil and Gas Council held the 2nd conference titled “Kazakhstan–China Cooperation in the Petrochemical Industry: Trends and Opportunities”, which took place במסגרת the international exhibition China International Petroleum & Petrochemical Technology and Equipment Exhibition (CIPPE China).
For the second consecutive year, the event has served as a stable platform for professional dialogue and partnership development between Kazakhstan and China. The conference brought together representatives of government bodies, associations, operators, EPC contractors, and logistics organizations from both countries, as well as around 100 companies from China and Kazakhstan.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by Zhang Xueshan, Vice Chairman of the China Convention and Exhibition Society and Chairman of Zhenwei International Exhibition Group, as well as Zhang Yubao, Head of the China Petroleum and Petrochemical Equipment Industry Association.
Chairman of PetroCouncil, Asylbek Dzhakiyev, presented an overview of Kazakhstan’s oil and gas industry, noting that China is currently one of the priority directions for cooperation development in petrochemicals. Holding the conference for the second year in a row reflects strong business interest in implementing joint projects.
The presentation by Sun Baoping, Vice President of Sinopec Engineering Group, attracted significant interest. He shared the company’s experience in executing large-scale oil and gas chemical projects and outlined prospects for cooperation with Kazakhstan.
Special attention was given to the Silleno project, in which Sinopec Engineering Group is involved through EPC contracts.
The topic of digitalization in oil and gas chemical projects was covered by Steven Li, Head of Energy and Chemical Industry at Schneider Electric. He presented the EcoStruxure digital platform and its application in the oil, gas, and chemical sectors. As an example, the Silleno project was highlighted, with total investments of USD 7.7 billion, incorporating control systems, safety systems, and advanced process management technologies.
Lu Hao, Executive Manager of the EPC project for the construction of ethane and propane pipelines in the Atyrau region (CPR), spoke about projects implemented in Kazakhstan, including the Kazakhstan–China oil and gas pipelines, as well as the ongoing ethane-propane pipeline system project in the Atyrau region for KMG PetroChem. The company also presented digital solutions for pipeline infrastructure management, including the “smart pipeline” concept based on data integration, digital twins, and predictive analytics.
The conference also addressed issues of localization, feedstock supply, and logistics.
Speaking about the important role of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs in supporting business, Muratbek Makhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Atameken, highlighted opportunities for supporting foreign investors, including Chinese companies.
The implementation of the Silleno project involves international EPC consortia, including companies from the Sinopec Group, underscoring the practical participation of the Chinese side in one of Kazakhstan’s key petrochemical projects. The technological foundation of the project is provided by leading international licensors such as Lummus Technology, Chevron Phillips Chemical, Univation, and Axens.
Additionally, Khabibulla Karimov, Director of Feedstock Supply and Marketing at Silleno LLP, spoke about the plant’s parameters, noting that more than 15,000 jobs are expected to be created during the construction phase and around 800 permanent jobs after commissioning.
The development of an integrated gas processing chain in Kazakhstan using gas from the Tengiz field was another key topic of discussion. Roxana Tsoy, MTO and Logistics Group Manager, and Marat Aimurzin, Leading Engineer of the MTO and Logistics Group at KMG PetroChem, presented the company’s current portfolio of petrochemical projects and the logic of their integrated development. A key element identified was the gas separation complex designed to extract ethane and propane from dry gas.
The company also presented перспективные направления, including projects for PTA-PET, urea, and methanol production, as well as linear alkylbenzene production. It was noted that key facilities are being implemented with the involvement of international EPC contractors, including consortia such as Technimont, CCC, Sinopec, and Técnicas Reunidas, enabling the application of advanced technologies and ensuring a high level of project execution.
Elvis Roberts, Project Director at TransExpeditions, emphasized that the development of projects such as Silleno, the gas processing plant in Zhanaozen, Kalamkas-Khazar, and Tengiz energy infrastructure directly depends on the ability to transport oversized and heavy equipment requiring customized engineering solutions. He also highlighted current constraints in international logistics, including санкционные risks on northern routes, instability in the Middle East, and infrastructure and regulatory barriers in Central Asian countries. According to him, key challenges include the lack of harmonized regulatory frameworks, bottlenecks in transport infrastructure, and the high capital intensity of logistics solutions, making route selection and engineering planning critical for project success.
Wang Shu, Country Manager of Air Astana for China, spoke about the development of international air transportation and the strategic role of China in the airline’s route network. As Kazakhstan’s leading carrier, Air Astana continues to expand its flight geography, connecting Kazakhstan with major business centers in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The airline operates a modern fleet of more than 60 aircraft, including Airbus A320/A321 and Boeing 767, ensuring a high level of service on international routes. Particular attention was given to the Chinese market, which is considered a priority. Currently, Air Astana operates around 26 flights per week between Kazakhstan and China, connecting key cities such as Beijing, Urumqi, Guangzhou, and Shanghai.
During the conference, participants discussed prospects for implementing petrochemical projects in Kazakhstan, investment attraction, localization, and the creation of joint ventures. The event concluded with a B2B session, where representatives of Kazakh and Chinese companies held meetings and discussed opportunities for further cooperation