KazMunayGas, Ecology Ministry sign a memorandum to deal with environmental issues
KMG Board Chairman Alik Aidarbayev and Ecology Minister Magzum Mirzagaliyev have signed the memorandum.
The memorandum centers on improving the quality of environment, ensuring the environmental safety and strengthening cooperation.
Under the memorandum, the KMG subsidiaries – joint-stock companies Karazhanbasmunay, Mangistaumunay and Ozenmunaygas pledge their commitment to clean up oil-contaminated soils within the contract territory and recycle waste stored on inappropriate sludge tanks.
Exploitation of oil reserves in the Magystau region started as far back as the last century which led to broad oil-contaminated areas (production waste and oil spills).
A group of KMG companies have thus far decided to utilize the contaminate areas.
The signed memorandum obliges KMG and its subsidiaries and captive companies to follow the environmental requirements and standards, complete the inventory of waste on the contracted territories, attract the latest methods and environmentally friendly technologies for refining wastes, re-cultivate and reclaim the lands contaminated by oil as well as ensure the subsequent use of refined wastes (treated soil) for economic activities, and so on.
On his part, the Ecology Ministry makes sure the environmental legislation’s requirements are met, coordinates measures aimed at cutting a negative impact of the group of KMG companies on the environment.
According to Magzum Mirzagaliyev, it is for the first time a Kazakh company taking on responsibility to such extent.
“This document’s implementation will allow to clean up large oil-contaminated areas in the western part of the country and maintain a favorable environmental situation within the region. The Ministry also intents to fulfill a range of measures aimed at protecting the environment,” said the ecology minister.
Alik Aidarbayev stressed that the KazMunayGas Group of Companies’ activity is associated with an impact on the environment.
“We are very much interested in preserving nature of our country, natural resources, eliminating contaminations and reducing wastes. This memorandum allows jointly with the Ecology Ministry to pool our efforts and improve the environmental situation in KazMunayGas’s areas of presence,” said Alik Aidarbayev.
National Company KazMunayGas is a Kazakh national operator in hydrocarbon exploration, extraction, treatment and transportation. 90.42% of its shares are held by the National Welfare Fund Samruk-Kazyna owns, and 9,58% by the National Bank of Kazakhstan.
Photo credit: KazMunayGas
