OREANDA-NEWS. On December 11, 2007 prep works have started to construct the second stage (Kenkiyak – Kumkol) of the oil pipe linking Kazakhstan’s oilfields to China, reported the Official website http://en.government.kz.

The actual construction works will start in March, announced Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Karim Massimov at the ceremony to present the project.

The Prime Minister reminded that the Atasu – Alashankow oil pipeline (linking Kazakhstan to China) had been inaugurated by President Nazarbayev and the Chinese partners two years before. “This was the first stage. And now all the conditions have been put in place to construct the Kenkiyak – Kumkol section as well. The construction works will be launched in March, and today we’ve started the prep works”, he said.

The Chinese side was represented by Ma Fucai, Vice Chairperson of the State Council Committee on Energy. He voiced the welcoming address of the Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi who noted that the project would play a major role in mutually beneficial cooperation and economic development of both Kazakhstan and China.

“Kazakhstan-China Oil Pipeline” LLP is in charge of the construction works. The 751-km-long pipeline will run across the Aktyubinsk, Kyzylorda and Karaganda oblasts of Kazakhstan.

The project will link the Kenkiyak – Kumkol pipe to the Kumkol-Atasu pipe; this will enable to pump oil both from West Kazakhstan and Aktyubinsk oblasts of Kazakhstan to China.

As of today, Kazakh oil is transported to China via Kenkiyak-Atyrau, Atyrau-Samara and CPC pipes or delivered to Aktau sea port by rail to be further pumped to China.

The said project is in line with the Kazakhstan’s Transport Strategy up to 2015. The to-be pipeline capable of pumping 10 million tons of oil per annum is estimated at over USD 1 billion.