Pavlodar refinery (Kazakhstan) began to work after a 4 day halt

/IRBIS, Aug.18, 00/ - REUTERS informs, with the reference to acting director of the refinery, Daulet Jarasov, that today Pavlodar oil refinery in the north of the country began to work after a four day halt caused by the absence of raw materials. He said that 6 thousand tons of oil received in early August from Kaztransoil had been processed within a week, and major facilities had to be stopped due to an absence of raw materials. He says that 100,000 tons of oil are to come from Mangistaumunaigas on the basis of substitution scheme tomorrow, and still more 50,000 tons from Aktobemunaigas. The refinery is working to its one third capacity, as total load is to be 600,000 tons a month. Mr.Jarasov said oil producers preferred to export oil rather than selling it on domestic market. It is said that the most popular brand of gasoline in Pavlodar AI-80 rose from KZT37 to KZT39, and AI-96 - to KZT42 from KZT38. On August 21 general shareholders meeting is to be held where the owner of 87.9% of company shares will be determined. This block of shares were transferred to the ministry of energy, industry and trade by the privatization and state property committee of the Ministry of finance in June after it cancelled the concession agreement between Pavlodar refinery and the American CCL Oil. According to the president, Nursultan Nazarbaev, the refinery, which is one of three refineries in the country, can be transferred to Mangistaumunaigas in order to load the refinery to its full capacity. It is also believed that 87.9% of shares can be transferred to Mangistaumunaigas instead of the company's debt. Management of Mangistaumunaigas says that they incurring sufficient losses by supplying oil to Pavlodar oil refinery, with is now estimated at $73 mln.