Environmentally safe utilization of associated gas is of high priority for PetroKazakhstan. On June 15, 2006, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of RoK approved PKKR’s Gas Utilization Program and Company was among the first to implement projects aimed at efficient utilization of associated gas. The Gas Utilization Program solves a number of major environmental problems: eliminates gas flaring, gas emissions and evaporation of light ends into the air, reduces the risk of oil spills and soil contamination, as well as improves substantially the industrial fire safety. Completion of the Phase II, which includes compressor equipment, modernization of the existing open switchboard 110kW is planned in parallel to the existing gas turbine unit, which is operated since the beginning of 2004. Finalization of the Phase II project will not technologically obstacle main project’s objective – gas utilization and electric power generation.

During the last five years PetroKazakhstan implemented a number of major projects on collection, transportation and reinjection of the associated gas. Phase I of the Kumkol start up complex gas turbine unit expansion was commissioned in the end of 2010. The project provisions expansion of the existing gas turbine electric station of the Kumkol oilfield, i.e. gas utilization plant and 55MWt electrical energy generation for the 2 additional gas turbine units with the capacity of 25MWt each. Besides this major equipment, it is provisioned to install auxiliary technologic equipment, tanks, 110 kW open switchboard and 110 kW high voltage line in JSC PKKR and JSC Turgai Petroleum, which are now the consortium participants. The approved budget draft is 47 500 000 US dollars, the PKKR’s share is 23 750 000 US dollars.
 
This project was included into the Industrialization Map of the Program of Kyzylorda Oblast Road Map for 2010. Currently, gas turbine units No.4 and 5 are working in the no-load mode, i.e. utilize the associated gas without electrical power generation. For the generation of the additional power of 50 mWt it is necessary to meet KEGOC, national electric networks operator’s specifications. Currently most of specifications are fulfilled. PKKR makes all efforts for the soonest fulfillment of these specifications.