Limitation of oil export from Kazakhstan has helped Refinery

/IRBIS, March 24, 00/ - REUTERS cites Vladimir Schkolnik, the minister of power, industry and trade. As he has told, limitation of oil export by 22 million tons has allowed to load three domestic Refineries and to improve a situation with the petroleum prices. "For two months we have delivered to the Refiners by 40% more then in the previous: There is some petrol prices reduction in the country", - he has told. Schkolnik has also told today that after the Prime minister Kasymzhomart Tokaev will return from holidays (April 2 or 3) the quotes will be discussed again with the petroleum companies. "We have already agreed practically with all oil companies", - the minister has told. Schkolnik has noticed that in 2001 the oil export limitation will be canceled automatically "after the installation of the first stage of the Caspian Pipeline". "Kazakhstan should direct to this pipe about 20 millions at the first stage and 67-68 million tons at the second", - he has told. "We expect on the shelf about 80-100 million tons of oil annually: The associated gas will make about 80-100 billions cubic miter annually", - he has added. Among the priority projects of the current year he has named the Atyrau Refinery reconstruction to the sum of $350 - 400 million, which should be realized in 2003.