Kazakhstan signed an agreement to establish an international center for the development of oil and gas engineering.

The agreement was signed by Kazakh Energy Prime Minister, Nurlan Nogayev with the representatives of the ministry of industry and infrastructure development, the Union of machine builders of Kazakhstan, the Union of oilfield service companies, as well as such large projects as Karachaganak Petroleum Operating (KPO), North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC) and Tengizchevroil (TCO).

The government noted that the new center will localize the production of goods for oil and gas in Kazakhstan, open new industrial projects, and reinforce investment activities. The center will be funded by operators of oil and gas projects and operate on a non-profit basis.

Nogayev stated that “this initiative will provide additional support to domestic producers and will contribute to their maximum involvement in purchases carried out by operators of oil and gas projects. The centre will use the experience of similar research and development centres created by Shell and ENI.”