On the eve of the Independence Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the best gas employees in the country were awarded. The Executive Vice President for Gas Transportation and Marketing of the National Company “KazMunayGas” JSC Kairat Sharipbayev congratulated the team members of the Group of Companies of KazTransGasJSC. The award ceremony was broadcasted live from the capital office in all regions where branches and subsidiaries of the National Gas Operator operating.

Kairat Sharipbayev highlighted that Independence Day is the most significant holiday of our state:“Our people have overcome a very long way to build an independent, strong and prosperous country. Today our country is rightfully considered one of the most successful among the CIS countries and in many respects it is the merit of the First President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who brought the people of Kazakhstan together and create all conditions for the growth in well-being of citizens.

On behalf of the National Company KazMunayGas, Kairat Sharipbayev thanked the gas workers for their fruitfuland effective work. Handing out the awards, he noted that this year the gas employees celebrate this date with labor achievements and significant performance indicators!

He said in his speech: “We are proud that our work provides a reliable basis for the development of Kazakhstan. The key performance indicators were achieved as of the end of 10 months. In a very short time, a number of major gas projects have been successfully implemented. We have launched 4 new, powerful compressor stations: Bozoy CS, Karaozek CS and CS-1 and CS-3 of the Kazakhstan-China Gas Pipeline. We have launched 2 projects with the participation of the Head of State. The first one is open in Aktobe the most powerful AGDS-300 (automated gas-distribution station) in Kazakhstan. The second projectprovided for startup of gas dehydration plantat the Bozoy underground gas storage.

Kairat Sharipbayev highlighted the start of domestic gas exports to the People's Republic of China to be significant for the entire oil and gas industry: “It is possible to open this alternative export route thanks to the support of the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. And this is only the starting point, the initial step, the beginning of a new milestone in the development of the country's gas industry.

This allows us to expand the transit and export opportunities of Kazakhstan. We have contributed to ensuring the country's energy security. According to Kairat Sharipbayev, gas exports to China are planned to increase from 5 to 7 billion cubic meters next year, and by 2020 this figure could increase to 10 and even up to 15 billion cubic meters of gas per year. To ensure reliable, uninterrupted transit in the near future, it will be necessary to build another three compressor stations along the Beineu-Bozoy-Shymkent Gas Pipeline.

According to the Vice-President of the KazMunayGas National Company, the work performed by Kazakhstani gas workers was highly appreciated by the President during the recently held teleconference dedicated to the Industrialization Day. At the same time, bright events in the country's gas industry had a positive impact on the international image of KazTransGas JSC, that followed by higher prices for eurobonds placed this year on the Irish Stock Exchange (ISE) and Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE).

The priority for the National Gas Operator is to expand its own resource base. This year, the Ayrakty Field of the Amangeldy Group starts industrial gas production. Putting into operation new wells will be of great help in providing gas to the southern regions of Kazakhstan.

He specially focused on the successful implementation of the gasification program by the National Gas Operator, noting large-scale gasification of settlements in regions. Many regional leaders address a request to construct gas infrastructure facilities, since such work significantly stimulates social and economic development.

During the ceremony, Director of Zhambyl Branch of the NGO “Republican Council of Gas Industry Veterans” Fedorovich Alexander in his speech noted the huge amount of work being done in the gas industry today. According to the veteran, high technologies used, modern infrastructure facilities under construction are directly related to high rates of gasification. – “The people of Kazakhstan see and feel the results of fruitful work and highly appreciate such state care and personal contribution of gas workers. Alexander Fedorovich also thanked the management of the NC “KazMunayGas” JSC and KazTransGas JSC for the support of gas veterans and addressing social issues.

First Deputy General Director Wang Lijun spoke on behalf of the “Beyneu-Shymkent Gas Pipeline” LLP. He thanked for the fruitful joint work, highlighting that about one billion cubic meters of gas had already been transported to China via the Beyneu-Bozoy-Shymkent Pipeline.

Concluding the congratulations, Executive Vice-President for Gas Transportation and Marketing of the NC “KazMunayGas” JSC Kairat Sharipbayev said that every year Kazakhstan's gas sectorimproves its position being the driver for oil and gas industry. He also wished everyone good health, peace and good and successful work for the benefit of Independent Kazakhstan.

The solemn ceremony was continued by the presentation of state awards and certificates of honor to the best gas workers.

More than 200 employees of the Group of Companies received state awards, titles, orders and medals for significant contribution to the development of oil and gas industry and active public activities, as well as certificates of merit and letters of gratitude from the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Samruk-Kazyna JSC, NC “KazMunayGas” JSC and KazTransGas JSC.

For the contribution to the development of oil and gas industry, the Order of Kurmet was awarded to:

Director General (Chairman of the Management Board) of KazTransGas JSC Suleimanov R.E.; Deputy Director General for Transformation and Development of KazTransGasJSC Temirkhanov Ye.U.; Deputy Director General for Economics and Finance of KazTransGas JSC Kusherov D.A.;Deputy Director General of KazTransGas Aimak JSC Sadvakasov M. A.; Chief Accountant of KazTransGas JSC Meldekhanov B.N.

Processing Unit Repair Technician of the Gas Compressor Station of Makat Line Operation Section, Atyrau Gas Pipeline Department, Intergas Central Asia JSC Oralbayev A.Ye. was awarded the Order of Labour Glory (Enbek Danky). This Order was handed over to OralbayevA.Ye. by the Chairman of Management Board of the NC “KazMunayGas”JSC S. Mynbayev.

Director of the Representative Office of KazTransGas JSC in St. Petersburg, the Russian Federation Arystanbayev A.S.received the award pin “Distinguished Worker in the Oil and Gas Industry” of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Samruk-Kazyna Certificates of Merit were awarded toDeputy General Director of Intergas Central Asia JSC Mamutova A.Ye.; Deputy Director General of KMG-Kansu Operating LLP Jetibayev B.A.

The Certificate of Merit of KazTransGasJSC was awarded to:

Deputy Director General for Production of KazTransGas Onimderi LLP Ashirov A.S.; Director of the Tariff Policy and Investment Projects Department of KazTransGas JSC Allayarbek Zh.; Director of the Procurement Department of KazTransGas JSC Nuralin A.B.; Expert of the Asset Management Department of KazTransGas JSC Atraubayeva G.S.; Deputy Chief Accountant of the Central Accounting Department of KazTransGas JSC Bokayev Ye.N.; Expert of the Corporate Finance and Treasury Department of KazTransGas JSC Li D.A.; Leading Specialist of the Press Service of KazTransGas JSC Burenkov A.V.; Expert of the Marketing and Contracts Department of KazTransGas JSC Mukhamedzhanova M.A.; Leading Specialist of the Organization and Labor Remuneration Service of KazTransGas JSC Kazhenbayeva G.S.; Expert of the Department for Corporate Development, Consolidation and IMS of KazTransGas JSC Usupova B.M.