The Atyrau Oil Refinery has commented on the results of an unscheduled inspection by the Ecology Department for the Atyrau Region. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
Earlier, some media outlets reported that emissions of harmful substances from individual furnaces of the refinery's ELTU-AT-2 and ELTU-AVT-3 units had not been calculated and that maximum permissible emission standards had not been established for them. The refinery disagrees with this information.
According to the company, the necessary calculations for these units have been carried out and emission standards have been set within the framework of the existing environmental permit. In particular, emissions generated by burning fuel gas, natural gas and furnace fuel in the furnaces have been calculated.
The company noted that these calculations were carried out in accordance with methodologies approved in Kazakhstan. The refinery said it is ready to provide the relevant calculations and technical documentation to government agencies.
Emissions reduced during unfavourable weather
The company also said it takes special measures during unfavourable meteorological conditions. When notified of such conditions, the refinery reduces pollutant emissions in accordance with an approved plan.
According to the refinery's estimates, these measures make it possible to reduce emissions from 35,370.1 grams per second to 20,664.3 grams, or by approximately 42%.
Flaring is part of the technological process
The refinery also commented on the burning of more than 100 tonnes of gas at the flare unit. According to the company, sending gas to the flare is part of the technological process. This method is also used when a malfunction occurs at production units.
The flare system allows gas to be burned safely and is considered part of the industrial safety system.
In addition, between 2 and 7 September 2026, sanitary and epidemiological control specialists did not record any exceedances of the established hydrogen sulphide norm in the refinery's sanitary protection zone.
The Atyrau refinery stressed the importance of complying with environmental requirements and said it is ready to work together with government agencies. The company awaits the completion of all legal procedures related to the inspection and the court's corresponding legal assessment.