Kazakhstan, taking into account the growth in gas consumption, may face its deficit by 2025, Minister of Energy Bolat Akchulakov said at the government meeting in the Senate of the Parliament, Report informs referring to Interfax-Kazakhstan.
He said that from 2017 to 2021, gas consumption increased by 4.8 billion cubic meters - from 13.8 to 18.6 billion cubic meters. The average annual increase in gas consumption is about 7%.
“Against the backdrop of dynamic growth in consumption in the domestic market, we predict a slight gas deficit by 2025. However, if our mining and metallurgical enterprises actively switch from coal to gas, the deficit will be significant,” the minister said.
In this situation, the issue of replenishing the Kazakh resource base is acute, which requires preferences for gas projects at all stages - exploration, production and processing of gas, he added.
“In addition, the issue of providing a stimulating price for subsoil investor users is being worked out,” Akchulakov noted.