In 2023, Astana is expected to adjust its LPG exports and increase purchases from Moscow. This trajectory is noted by the market participants in a report circulated by Kommersant, citing the document titled Argus Transport of the Caspian.
The report indicates that imports will serve to mitigate potential shortages as demand for motor fuels from major industrial buyers in the country continues to rise. It is highlighted that more than 60 percent of Kazakhstan’s LPG is tied to the automotive sector, underscoring how vehicle needs drive a substantial portion of the market.
The surge in demand is attributed to the start-up of new LPG-related petrochemical projects, where motor fuel usage expands in response to gasoline shortages and the broader pricing environment for energy products.
Kommersant also referenced a statement from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy, reporting an expected LPG production level of approximately 2.86 million tons by the end of 2023, a figure that aligns with 2022 output and suggests stability in output capacity.
Earlier in the week, energy minister Almasadam Satkaliyev indicated that Kazakhstan, Russia, and China have already identified the route for a future gas pipeline project, signaling ongoing coordination among the three nations on regional energy infrastructure.
Satkaliyev later noted discussions about the feasibility of transporting Russian gas to Uzbekistan, reflecting broader regional energy-sharing considerations and the evolving map of gas transportation in Central Asia.