Kazakhstan, Russia sign framework agreement to boost Russian oil supplies to China to 12.5 mln tonnes

ASTANA. May 28 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan and Russia have signed a framework agreement to boost Russian oil supplies to China to 12.5 million tonnes per year, Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov told Interfax.

"These are, so to speak, just the principles, the basis for further work to increase Russian oil supplies by 2.5 million tonnes. Namely, the final agreement itself has not yet been reached, but the basic agreement has been signed," Akkenzhenov said about the agreement signed Thursday to expand cooperation in the oil sector between Kazakhstan and Russia.

Akkenzhenov said earlier that no feasibility study had been conducted for the project, but preliminary calculations have been made.

"The project requires additional oil pumping stations, pipeline loops and pipeline expansion. Once we sign the foundational documents, we will proceed directly to design," the minister said.

Akkenzhenov said the main requirement for the project is the agreement of the parties, and that all technical aspects could be resolved.

Russian oil reaches China via the Atasu-Alashankou pipeline, which currently has capacity to ship up to 10 million tonnes per year from Russia.