Azerbaijan, Baku, Apr. 22 / Trend E. Kosolapova/
Kazakhstan as a major oil power has a very good chance to host the 22nd World Petroleum Congress in Astana in 2017, Kazakh 'Alternative' Research Center Director Andrei Chebotarev believes.
"A lot of European, American, Chinese investors are working in Kazakhstan. Indians are also planning to expand their activity here. So, many companies are ready to support Kazakhstan's application," Chebotarev told Trend by phone on Monday.
On the other hand some foreign investors are withdrawing from Kazakh oil projects, the expert said.
"Norwegian Statoil, U.S. ConocoPhillips are leaving oil projects in Kazakhstan. Lukoil withdrew from two projects last year. These facts show that there are some problems in Kazakhstan's oil and gas sector," Chebotarev said.
According to Chebotarev, the investigation of many fields gave no results. Moreover, some companies do not agree with the contract terms imposed by Kazakh government, according to which contract terms remain unchanged when tax conditions and other mechanisms can change.
"So the situation in Kazakh oil and gas sphere is quite ambiguous," Chebotarev said.
According to the expert, the success of Kazakhstan's application for hosting World Petroleum Congress will also depend on the events which take places while the application is under consideration.
"Kazakhstan has promised to launch oil production in Kashagan field this year. But there is no guarantee that launching wil not be delayed one more time. If the oil production in Kashagan starts in time, Kazakhstan will have advantages, if not, it will suffer," he said.
According to Chebotarev, hosting the World Petroleum Congress will give Kazakhstan the opportunity to attract investments into the energy sphere.
Earlier the Kazakh National Committee apllied for hosting the 22nd World Petroleum Congress in Astana in 2017. The U.S. city of Houston is Astana's rival in this issue. It hosted the 12th World Petroleum Congress in spring of 1987. The World Petroleum Congress is held every three years. Moscow won the chance to hold the 21st World Petroleum Congress to be held in 2014.
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