Refineries of Kazakhstan have increased petroleum processing in January by 18.5%

/IRBIS, Feb.24, 00/ - The Kazakhstan oil refining enterprises have increased petroleum processing in January 2000 by 18.5% in comparison with the corresponding period of 1999, - Kasymzhomart Tokaev, the prime minister of Republic has informed at the Mazhilis /lower chamber of Kazakhstan Parliament/ plenary session on Wednesday. As he said, it became possible due to accepted in January decree concerning limitations of petroleum export by the Kazakhstan oil producing companies. Now it depends on volumes of their supply on the domestic refineries. One more result of the decree fulfillment has became decrease in local petrol prices by 7%. In 1999 three refineries of Kazakhstan processed only 5.9 million tons that is 30.7% from their planed capacities. In result, in republic there was a petroleum deficiency, which caused growth of petrol import at 4.5 times, diesel fuel - at 2.5 times. As Tokaev has emphasized, "one who will increase deliveries on the domestic refineries, will have additional export quotes. Especially since we have signed the agreement with the Russian government about export re- structuring and increase of Kazakhstan petroleum deliveries via Russia by 2.5 million tons".