At the government session chaired by Prime Minister Askar Mamin, the results of the country's socio-economic development and the execution of the republican budget for January-February 2021 were considered. Minister of Energy Nurlan Nogayev and Minister of Agriculture Saparkhan Omarov reported on the situation in the energy sector and the agro-industrial complex.

Minister of Energy informed that in the fuel and energy complex in January-February 2021, the production of oil and condensate reached 13.8 million tons, which is 101.1% of the plan for two months of this year.

Including the following indicators for large oil and gas companies:

During the specified period, TCO produced 4.3 million tons of oil, which is 104.5% of the plan.

“At the North Caspian project — Kashagan, oil production amounted to 2.4 million tons, which is 103.4% to the plan of the last months of this year. At Karachaganak, the indicators are 2.1 million tons, which is 100% of the plan for 2 months of 2021. Today, there is a gradual recovery in the world oil market and oil quotes. The plan of 86 million tons is expected to be fulfilled,” Nogayev said.

In order to implement this plan, the ministry is carrying out a number of activities.

According to the latest negotiations, the obligations of the Republic of Kazakhstan under OPEC+ have been adjusted from -17% to -15%.

During the reporting period, 10.75 million tons of oil were exported, which is 100% against the plan for January-February 2021.

In January-February 2021, 9.14 billion cubic meters of gas were produced, which is 100.8% against the plan of the reporting period.

Domestic consumption of commercial gas reached 4.55 billion cubic meters, which is 107.3% against the plan for 2 months of 2021.

“Production of liquefied petroleum gas amounted to 520 thousand tons, which is 100% to the plan of the reporting period. During the reporting period, 1.39 billion cubic meters of gas were exported, which is 122% of the plan for 2 months of 2021. For 2 months of 2021, 2 million tons of oil products were processed, which is 94.4% against the plan for January-February. Including, the indicator for motor gasoline is 790 thousand tons, which is 93.5% against the plan of 2 months. Diesel fuel produced 680 thousand tons, which is 85.2% to the plan of the reporting period. The production of aviation fuel amounted to 70 thousand tons, which is 91% against the plan for 2 months of 2021,” Nogayev said.

As the minister of energy noted, the decrease in the production of petroleum products during the reporting period was due to a failure at the Atyrau Oil Refinery. This circumstance, in turn, led to the failure of the catalytic cracking and reforming unit. Currently, this plant is undergoing repair work.

At the same time, despite the decrease in the volumes of oil refining and production of oil products, the reserves of oil products in the domestic market are at a stable level.

As of March 5, 2021, reserves of petroleum products are at a sufficient level, for gasoline to supply the domestic market for 20 days and diesel fuel is sufficient to supply the domestic market for 28 days.

It is expected that on March 27, 2021, the catalytic cracking and reforming unit will be launched and on April 15, the Atyrau oil refinery will be brought into production mode.

For the production of fuel oil, its figure was 472 thousand tons, which is 114.7% of the plan for January-February. In general, the volume of oil and gas chemical products reached 27 thousand tons, which is 61.8% of the plan for January-February this year.

“The main reason for the decline in oil and gas chemical production was the failure of the catalytic cracking unit. In the event of failure of the catalytic cracking unit, the production of benzene and paraxylene is impossible. During the reporting period, electricity generation amounted to 20.4 billion kWh or 100% of the plan,” Nogayev explained.

Minister of Agriculture informed that in January-February 2021, the volume of gross agricultural production increased by 3.1% and amounted to 345.5 billion tenge.

This growth was mainly due to an increase in livestock production by 3.3%. Thus, there was a high growth in the production of meat in live weight by 5.9%, milk — by 3.4%.

At the same time, crop products were produced for 20.6 billion tenge, IFO at the level of 100%. This volume is provided through the cultivation of crops in greenhouses (greenhouses).

In the context of regions, rates higher than republican ones were noted in 2 regions: Akmola — 118.3%, Karaganda — 104.1%.

Food production for the specified period increased by 3.1% and amounted to 309.7 billion tenge.

“At the same time, there is an increase in the production of butter by 34.6%, beet sugar by 26.8%, vegetable oil by 24.5%, cereals by 21.5%, processed rice by 15.7%, cheese and cottage cheese by 7.3%, processed milk by 5.9%, flour by 5.4%, sausages by 2.6%,” Omarov informed.

The volume of investments in fixed assets in agriculture increased by 39.6% and amounted to 41.5 billion tenge, food production tripled and amounted to 18.3 billion tenge.