Kazakhstan refuses to construct new oil refinery in Batumi

One of the major objectives of the Russian aggression was to undermine any alternative route for transporting energy, Russia currently having a monopoly on energy transport. It now appears to have partly achieved this objective.

Kazakh Company KazMunaiGas has decided not to construct an oil refinery in Batumi. This possibility of building a refinery which would hold mainly Kazakh oil was first discussed by the Georgian and Kazakh Presidents around two years ago. But Kazakh oil transit through Georgia has been suspended due to recent developments, rendering a new refinery unnecessary.

Some experts believe, not without reason, that the Kazakh decision has resulted from serious Russian pressure. However KazMunaiGas representatives say that a feasibility study concluded that the new refinery would not be viable, as there is not enough land on which to build one of the required capacity.