“OIL AND GAS 2021” FORUM AND EXHIBITION
This week, Nur-Sultan hosted important events for representatives of the energy sector – the XIV Eurasian KAZENERGY Forum and the 27th Kazakhstan International Oil and Gas Exhibition KIOGE. One of the main sessions of the forum was devoted to the most relevant type of fuel today – natural gas.
The prospects for the development of the oil and gas market and the role of the Kazakhstani gas industry were discussed at the KAZENERGY Eurasian Forum, being held in the capital. One of the main sessions of the forum was devoted to the most relevant type of fuel today – natural gas.
The session “The role of gas in the energy balance of Russia and Kazakhstan” was held in the teleconference mode. Apart from KAZENERGY, the organizers were the St. Petersburg International Gas Forum.
These days the gas issue is very relevant, since the policy of the most states is aimed at changing the structure of the energy balance in favor of natural gas. It is the most promising among the traditional energy sources, and the only one that will compete with renewable energy sources in the future.
The speakers agreed that expanding the use of gas, as one of the most environmentally friendly types of fuel, is especially important in the light of the decarbonization of the global economy and the force of Paris Climate Agreement, to which Kazakhstan joined in 2016.
The First Vice-Minister for Energy of Kazakhstan, Murat Zhurebekov, reported the same. He pointed out that in the near future, the forecasting growth in gas consumption within the country will reach 25 billion cubic meters per year, and by 2030 it will increase up to 30 billion.
A sharp increase in consumption will result from the gasification of regions, the construction of processing and gas chemistry plants, as well as the transition to gas of large industrial enterprises and the use of gas generation instead of coal. This means that Kazakhstan needs to take all actions to avoid gas shortages in the future, to do everything possible to increase the resource base.
In Kazakhstan, the Subsoil and Subsoil Use Code prohibits the flaring of associated gas at the stage of commercial field development, except for technologically inevitable flaring and an emergency. Also, the obligation of subsoil users to prepare programs for the development of sour gas processing is legally established, where the volumes of production, processing, utilization and parameters of flaring are described in detail.
In the course of implementing this program, the volume of flared gas decreased from 3 billion cubic meters in 2006 to 4 million, which is almost 8 times over the past 15 years. This, in general, had a positive effect on the environmental situation in the regions of the country, contributed to the rational use of resources, including the monetization of associated gas through its use to generate electricity and commercial gas.
Today, work is underway to convert large industrial consumers to gas. These are large manufacturers, who export their products abroad, including to the EU markets.
We are all preparing to meet the EU’s initiative to impose a carbon border tax and are taking all these measures to reduce the carbon footprint and convert from coal to gas generation.
There was also a conversation about the transition of the transport sector of the economy to gas consumption as a motor fuel. According to experts, this process will be accompanied by significant socio-economic and environmental effects.
According to Abzal Kismetov, Deputy General Director of Intergas Central Asia JSC, one of the important decisions in this matter will be the establishment of the National Gas Company, with the right to carry out geological exploration, production, transportation, storage, processing and sale of gas and gas condensate.
Abzal Kismetov considers that the another important point is the continuation of the introduction of modern technologies by the national operator and the digitalization of the industry. These processes ensure a safe and sustainable use of the gas transmission infrastructure.
A serious topic was raised by representatives of the Russian side. Pavel Zavalny, Chairman of the Energy Committee of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, President of the Russian Gas Society, spoke about the role of blue-sky fuel in the energy balance and the prospects for the common gas market of the EAEU.
On October 7, 2021, the Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, made a video message at the global plenary session “World Energy Trilemma 2021 – Balance of Components: Navigating Changes across Energy Regions”, which is being held as part of the World Energy Week and the XIV Eurasian KazEnergy Forum. As the President pointed out, Kazakhstan has again become a meeting place for leaders and authorities from 90 countries. “On the threshold of COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, we have gathered to discuss the results achieved and our vision of a common future,” Tokayev said.
The President expressed the opinion that the world is entering a new phase of development. New technologies dictate a global energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, hydrogen and nuclear energy, he said.
Tokayev added that in accordance with his policy, the government is developing a number of national projects that will assist in advancing in such key areas as energy production, energy efficiency, digitalization and sustainable economic growth.
“I believe that these developments are of prime importance, since they will become the “new standard” for doing business and the daily life of billions of people,” the Head of State noted.
In conclusion, the President of Kazakhstan pointed out the uniqueness of the Forum’s dialogue platform, which provides leading experts with an excellent opportunity to consider the current trends, forecasts and plans, designed to help the world to achieve the global goal of stopping climate change.
During the “Oil and Gas” – KIOGE 2021” International Exhibition, visitors could get acquainted with the products and developments of oil and gas and service companies. KazTransGas JSC also represented its stand. The work of the National Gas Operator was introduced to the guests of the exhibition by employees of production branches and representatives of the engineering and technical center of Intergas Central Asia JSC.
As the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Magzum Mirzagaliyev noted: “The exhibition is a very important event in terms of attracting new technologies to our country and gaining new contacts between our enterprises for cooperation”.