In 2006 in order to build petrochemical complexes of the world level on deep processing of hydrocarbon raw material with the issue of export petrochemical products with high added value the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan approved the "Plan of measures for development of petrochemical complexes of the world level in Kazakhstan and creation the first petrochemical complex in Kazakhstan’’, in which the Ministry of energy and mineral resources of Kazakhstan and the JSC NC " KazMunayGas " was entrusted to ensure timely implementation of the project of benzene production at the Atyrau Refinery by the decree dated October 13, 2006 № 989.
On December 15, 2006 public hearings of the preliminary environmental impact assessment, feasibility study of construction of the complex for production of benzene were held in Atyrau, as a result of which a protocol was signed, and the positive opinions of the state environmental, sanitary-epidemiological and independent environmental expertise were received.
One of the main requirements of the state environmental expertise was equipping of the sanitary protection zone of the refinery by stationary automatic stations of air quality control, that it was necessary to take into account the development of the technical project.
On March 13, 2007 the JSC "TH" “KazMunayGas” chose the general designer for development of the technical project the LLP “Kazgiproneftetrans" / JSC "Omskneftehimproekt" (Russia).
The version of the master plan for placement of the complex for production of aromatic hydrocarbons is selected at the Atyrau refinery by the protocol decision of the JSC "TH" “KazMunayGas” and JSC" NC "KazMunayGas" dated April 11, 2007 .
Public hearings on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the project of construction of the complex on benzene production were successfully held on November 16, 2007. The opinions on the EIA from the public authorities of local and national level were obtained.
In December 2007 designed-estimated documentation of the "Project" stage was fully agreed upon with all regulatory bodies of local and national level.
Decision of the RSE «State non-departmental expertise of the projects» was obtained for the project "Construction of the complex on production of benzene (phase 1) on December 28, 2007 at the Atyrau Oil Refinery".
On 28 December 2007 feasibility study on the construction of the complex for production of aromatic hydrocarbons was designed at the Atyrau Refinery (the developer – the LLP "Kazgiproneftetrans").
Public hearings on the Pre-EIA feasibility study of the construction of the complex for production of aromatic hydrocarbons were successfully held on November 16, 2007.
After an open tender the contract for purchase of the R & D activities for development of the project on "Construction of the complex for production of aromatic hydrocarbons (phase 2) at the Atyrau Refinery" was signed on August 20, 2008.
From 1 to 4 April 2008 at the Atyrau Refinery was the meeting on conclusion of the contract "turnkey" for construction of the complex for production of benzene.
On September 4, 2008 the Licensor of technological processes of the project was selected - the company «Axens» (France).
On 8-10 September 2008 the launch meeting was held '' with participation of the JSC "NC "KazMunayGas", JSC "Trade House" “KazMunayGas ", JSC" ONHP ", "Atyrau Refinery" LLP by agreement and signing of the licensing agreements for transfer of technology and Agreements for transfer of rules in the company "Axens.
On 17-18 September 2008 the launch meeting was held with participation of the above-mentioned companies on collecting of baseline data at the Atyrau Refinery.
On October 29, 2009 the agreement for the construction of the complex for production of aromatic hydrocarbons at the Atyrau refinery on a "turnkey" was signed between the Atyrau refinery and the Chinese company «Sinopec Engineering» («Sinopec Engineering"). From the Kazakh side the agreement was signed by the General Director of the "Atyrau Refinery" LLP T.A. Baitaziyev. From the Chinese side the agreement was signed by the Mr. Zhu Haising. Investments in the project amounted to 1 040 mln. US dollars, the construction period is from 2009 to 2013.
In 2010 the general loan agreement for the total amount of 1 billion 63 million US dollars for the construction of the CPA, of which 884 million US dollars due to the associated loan from Export-Import Bank of China (China Exim Bank) was signed between the Atyrau Refinery and the JSC "Kazakhstan Development Bank".
The loan was presented for 13 years at preferential interest rates.
Catalytic reforming unit with continuous regeneration of catalyst with capacity of 1 million tons of raw material per year.
Upgrading of the total volume of gasoline, produced at the refinery to ensure the quality of gasoline in accordance with the international standards;
Achieving the goals of the Atyrau refinery assumes the following tasks: increasing the capacity of the secondary processes up to 1,000 tons / year, in order to increase the volume of high-octane gasoline components; production of products with high added value - benzene and paraxylene as a basic raw material for the petrochemical industry; increasing the resources of hydrogen, required for the hydrotreating units and improving the product quality; integration with projects for development of petrochemical industries in Western Kazakhstan; fundamental reconstruction of technological capacities to achieve the modern technical level and providing Kazakhstan with quality motor fuel, raw material for petrochemicals and other oil products, as well as the export of petroleum products, the quality of which must meet international standards and requirements of domestic and export markets; creation of new jobs in the city of Atyrau.
Construction of the CPA, which began in October 2010, is now underway. At this time, construction works are continued at 27 construction sites. The works of a zero cycle of the basic technological units are at the stage of completion. Works on installation of the technological equipment are being carried out.
