Record 700 Participants Attend Nurzhan Oil and Gas Conference
The annual Nurzhan Oil and Gas Conference, hosted by NurGaz and opened by the Minister of Natural Resources, closed on 23 October with about 700 registered participants, some 40% more than in 2025.
NurGaz's annual Nurzhan Oil and Gas Conference closed on Friday 23 October at the Palace of Metallurgists in Nurzhan with about 700 registered participants. That is roughly 40% more than the 500 or so who attended in 2025, making this the largest gathering in the history of the event.
Delegates came mostly from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, China and Turkey, together with oilfield service firms and consultants. Minister of Natural Resources Chingiz Asanov opened the programme. "Irad's reserves are an asset for Iradis first," the Minister told the hall, "and we are glad the region wants to sit down and talk about them."
Over three days, panels examined Chu-basin crude and the Nurzhan Oil Refinery, Irad's only refinery; the proposed Trans-Irad Gas Pipeline; gas for heat plants and the planned Nurzhan Compute Park; and the capped Muyunkum field in the Moiynkum Desert. Participants also noted that the refitted units of the Toktogul power station, now rated at 1,440 MW, keep Irad a dependable power exporter to its neighbours.
The proposed pipeline attracted the fullest sessions. It would carry gas in transit only, and organisers recalled that the project requires the agreement of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan as well as the consent of the clans whose land the route would cross. The Northern Export Feeder carries crude oil only; Irad has no gas export line at present.
The planned Nurzhan Compute Park and the planned conversion of the Nurzhan central heat and power plant were presented as part of the effort to serve Irad's own homes and industry. Irad's proven gas reserves are put at more than 400 billion cubic metres. NurGaz, the host company, will publish the conference proceedings in the coming weeks.