ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 6. The solemn ceremony for the launch of the Aktau Bitumen Plant Caspi Bitum took place after the completion of large-scale modernization, Trend reports.
The modernization project for the Aktau Bitumen Plant was carried out on the instructions of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The general contractor was CITIC Construction.
"Thanks to the efficient organization of work—including a round-the-clock schedule and the involvement of more than 220 specialists—the construction and installation works, which began in November 2024, were completed a month ahead of schedule. As a result of the modernization, the plant’s annual oil processing capacity increased from 1 to 1.5 million tonnes, and bitumen production rose from 500,000 to 750,000 tonnes," the information notes.
According to information, the large-scale upgrades included modernization of the atmospheric distillation unit and process furnaces, as well as the delivery and installation of 24 pumps, 20 heat exchangers, and 5 air-cooling units.
"The successful modernization of Caspi Bitum is the result of an effective strategic partnership between KazMunayGas and CITIC Group. This project is of strategic importance for Kazakhstan. The upgraded plant is capable of consistently supplying the domestic market with high-quality bitumen, meeting internal demand and minimizing import dependence—which is especially important amid the growing number of infrastructure projects across the country," the company added.
LLP "JV Caspi Bitum" is a 50/50 joint venture between JSC NC KazMunayGas and LLP CITIC Kazakhstan (a subsidiary of CITIC Group). The plant is located in Aktau and specializes in processing oil from the Karazhanbas field and producing road bitumen. After the modernization, the plant's oil processing capacity stands at 1.5 million tonnes per year, with bitumen output at 750,000 tonnes per year.
