KAZENERGY and KMG Honour Industry Veterans

To celebrate the anniversary of Kazakhstan’s independence, KAZENERGY Association and KazMunayGas National Company met with veterans of the oil and gas industry, those who were at the forefront of establishing the country’s leading economic sector.

In line with new ethics, event organisers invited specialists from Meyirim Medical Centre to conduct a rapid test for Covid-19 as a way of showing respect and concern for the guests. Everything went quickly and efficiently, and the guests were very understanding.

In his opening speech, Timur Kulibayev, KAZENERGY Chairman, thanked the older generation of oil workers for their many years of constructive work.

“The contribution of Kazakhstan’s oil and gas workers in all achievements and breakthroughs is significant — geologists, drillers, engineers, process engineers, representatives of other professions, those who have selflessly dedicated their lives to the domestic oil and gas sector, those who for three decades have created and developed oil and gas projects that have become national assets,” the head of the Association said.

Magzum Mirzagaliyev, RoK Minister of Energy, and Serikkali Brekeshev, RoK Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources, also expressed their respect and gratitude to the veterans and spoke about the current state and prospects of oil and gas market development, preservation of regional ecology and ways of achieving carbon neutrality.

In his address, Alik Aidarbayev, Chairman of the Management Board of KazMunayGas, also congratulated the veterans and spoke about the national company’s current activities, achievements and future production plans.

“Our company has made significant progress over the years of independence. New industries have been created and modern infrastructure has been built in all areas of life. This gave a powerful boost to the oil and gas sector, which is the driver of the national economy and a solid foundation for the prosperity of the people of Kazakhstan. Much of the credit for this goes to you. Your long experience, professionalism, dedication and hard work are a worthy example for the current generation of oil workers. The traditions you established have become a solid foundation for young professionals, inspiring them to new achievements,” the head of KMG said in his address to the industry veterans.

Uzakbai Karabalin, Deputy Chairman of KAZENERGY Association, shared the results of the association’s activities, initiatives and active cooperation with industry companies: 

“The association’s activities today focus on three areas. Firstly, we try to channel the expertise and experience of veterans into solving day-to-day production, technical and process issues of the industry companies. We are getting a positive response here from companies concerned. We focus on publicity. One of the objectives is to spread knowledge and commemorate the veterans who have done tremendous work to develop the country’s oil and gas industry. And the third area is education and preparation to pass on experience to new generations: meetings of veterans with young people in universities that train professionals for the oil and gas industry”.

Kenzhebek Ibrashev, CEO of KAZENERGY, presented a book and a film on the development of the oil and gas industry over 30 years of Kazakhstan’s independence:

“With the support of experts and veterans, many of whom are present in the room today, we have published the book “Oil and Gas of Kazakhstan. 30 Years of Independence. The Path of Creation”. In addition to the book, a 5-part documentary film on the development of the industry called Through Depth to the Top has been produced for the anniversary of independence. These projects are very important — they focus not on us, but on the young, future generation of Kazakhstanis, and depict the real, first-hand history of the industry establishment.

The evening ended with a ceremony to present industry awards to veterans.