Page 10 - FSUOGM Week 37 2021

FSUOGM POLICY FSUOGM

Kazakhstan replaces energy

minister

KAZAKHSTAN KAZAKH Energy Minister Nurlan Nogayev has time as a KMG board member.
stepped down after less than two years in the role, Kazakhstan’s energy ministry oversees all
The reason for the country’s presidency reported on September aspects of the country’s energy and hydrocarbon
Nogayev's departure 7. His replacement is Magzum Mirzagaliyev, policy, from oil and gas to refining and petro-
was not given. who formerly served as Kazakhstan’s natural chemicals to coal and nuclear, electricity and the
resources minister. major oil projects governed by production-shar-
The reason for Nogayev’s departure was ing agreements (PSAs).
not disclosed, although the presidency said he Kazakhstan has a history of reshuffling its
would go on to serve as the head of Kazakhstan’s energy ministry during times of difficulty. For-
western Mangystau region. Between 2007 and mer President Nursultan Nazarbayev dropped
2016 he served in leadership positions in the former minister Vladimir Shkolnik in March
West Kazakhstan region, eventually as its head 2016 following a steep collapse in oil prices.
between 2012 and 2016. He was replaced by Kanat Bozumbayev, who
Nogayev was also a director of state-owned held the position until late 2019, the year Naz-
KazMunayGas (KMG) for six months in 2016. arbayev stepped down, when he was replaced by
Prior to this, he worked at the Kazakhturkmunai Nogayev.
oil company, where he held positions in the oil Kazakh oil production is currently con-
and oil product market. strained because of the country’s OPEC+
Mirzagaliyev, before heading the natural commitments. And the country has suffered
resources ministry, worked as deputy energy some recent setbacks in its drive to develop
minister between November 2013 and June petrochemicals, including Borealis’ with-
2019. During that time he was in charge of over- drawal from a major polyethylene scheme in
seeing large oil and gas projects, the natural gas May last year, citing the impact of the pan-
industry and petrochemicals. He too spent some demic. ™
ENERGY TRANSITION

US ambassador sees Azerbaijan

supplying Europe with hydrogen

AZERBAIJAN THE energy infrastructure that Azerbaijan has This will provide an opportunity to attract the
built will make the country a future supplier of best proposals, the best talents and the best solu-
The Southern Gas hydrogen to the European market, US Ambas- tions to the problems facing Azerbaijan,” the
Corridor could one day sador to Azerbaijan Lee Litzenberger said during diplomat said.
flow hydrogen. the closing ceremony of the Advanced Regional The ambassador noted that the transforma-
Energy Security Symposium 2021 on September tion of Azerbaijan's energy sector was beneficial
10. not only for itself but also for European energy
“New projects in the field of wind and solar security. By increasing its potential in the field
energy show that Azerbaijan is playing an active of renewable energy, Azerbaijan can become an
role in the fight against climate change. Reforms important player in ensuring energy security in
in the electricity sector in Azerbaijan are critical the region and beyond, the ambassador said.
to accelerating the transition to green energy. "The United States is ready to continue sup-
Therefore, we look forward to working in Azer- port in the development of Azerbaijan's energy
baijan in this direction,” Litzenberger said. He security," he added.
noted that the US and many American com- The Regional Energy Security Symposium
panies have extensive experience in the field of 2021 - Caucasus was held on September 6-10 by
renewable energy. the EU Research Center of Excellence at ADA
“I know that American companies are ready University (Azerbaijan) in partnership with
to cooperate with Azerbaijan in entering the the Nato Energy Security Center of Excellence,
renewable energy market. US companies can be Naval Postgraduate School, BP Azerbaijan and
attracted through a transparent tender process. State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR). ™

P10 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 37 15•September•2021