ATMOSPHERIC AND VACUUM CRUDE DISTILLATION UNITS

The Crude Distillation Units (CDUs), of which our refinery operates three, serve as the starting point of the refining process. As crude oil enters the atmospheric distillation units, it is separated into multiple fractions, each with a distinct boiling range. To meet specified product quality standards, these fractions are further processed in various downstream units. Vacuum distillation is then employed to separate vacuum gas oil and vacuum residue from the remaining atmospheric residue.

HYDROCRACKING FACILITY

The Hydrocracker, which utilizes Unicracker Technology, converts heavy fuel oil components into high-quality, low-sulfur intermediate distillate products. To remove unwanted impurities, vacuum gas oil is combined with hydrogen and passed through a hydrotreating reactor. These impurities are then catalytically broken down under high temperature and pressure in the presence of hydrogen and specialized catalysts. A portion of the unconverted oil collected at the bottom of the fractionator is recycled back into the hydrocracking reactor to increase conversion efficiency. Finally, the hydrocracked products are directed to distillation columns for separation into the desired product streams.

CATALYTIC CRACKING FACILITY

The Catalytic Cracking Facility processes heavy, low-grade residual oils into a variety of high-value products, including olefinic light ends, gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil components. This process takes place in a fluidized bed of solid catalysts that circulates rapidly between the reactor and a two-stage catalyst regenerator at extremely high temperatures. The olefin-rich light ends produced are sent to the MTBE Unit and Alkylation Unit to generate additional gasoline components. The MTBE Unit produces Methyl-Tertiary-Butyl-Ether (MTBE), a high-octane blending component, while the Alkylation Unit produces Alkylate, another premium gasoline blending component.

COGENERATION ENERGY UNIT

The Cogeneration Energy Unit (Combined Heat and Power Plant), commissioned in 2017, efficiently generates both electricity and high-pressure steam by utilizing natural gas. This integrated approach not only supplies essential power and steam for LLP Zhetysuoil operations but also maximizes energy efficiency and reduces greenhouse gas emissions through the use of clean energy.

MARINE DOCKING & LOADING STATION

In addition to its seven docks for loading and unloading crude oil and refined petroleum products, our refinery complex is equipped with extensive marine berthing facilities. The docks can accommodate vessels up to 387,000 deadweight tons (DWT), with a maximum overall length of 355 meters and a loaded draft of 21 meters, ensuring the efficient handling of large-capacity ships

About Us

Our refinery is a state-of-the-art facility designed for comprehensive oil processing. It features a Crude Oil Primary Distillation Complex, a Compounding and Oil Products Dispatch Complex, and a Crude Oil Advanced Processing Complex, which includes the KT-1 fuel complex for deep fuel oil processing. The Heavy Oil Residue Processing Complex incorporates several specialized units, such as the Delayed Coking Unit, Coke Calcination Unit, Bitumen Production Unit, Sulfur Recovery Unit, and Sulfur Granulation Unit.
In addition to these core facilities, the refinery houses a Hydrogen Production Unit and an Oil Sludge Processing Unit. Supporting operations are major auxiliary facilities, including a Water Supply and Sewerage Plant and the Central Refinery Laboratory (CRL), ensuring smooth, efficient, and environmentally responsible operations.

The enterprise is equipped with advanced Utilities & Offsite facilities, including commodity and raw feed tank farms, a liquefied gases tank farm, and dedicated loading and unloading racks for the transportation of oil products by both rail and road. The refinery also upholds a strong social policy, providing comprehensive conditions to support the work, well-being, and health of its employees. Currently, the top priority for Intrade Oil Refinery LLP is to produce motor fuels that meet ecological classes K4 and K5 in volumes sufficient to meet national demand. The refinery is also focused on extending its technical resources, transitioning to a three-year inter-repair operational cycle, and launching the production of internationally compliant Jet A jet fuel, marking a new milestone in its capabilities.

Our Expertise

Through advanced refining technologies, sustainable practices, and world-class infrastructure, we deliver value at every stage—from crude processing to the distribution of premium petroleum products—while maintaining a strong commitment to safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.

CRUDE OIL REFINING

Petroleum products play a vital role in nearly every aspect of daily life. While the concept of oil refining is straightforward, its execution is highly complex—and its impact is remarkable. This overview, along with the detailed sections that follow, outlines the key units and processes utilized at Zhetysu Oil. At the heart of oil refining lies a fundamental principle: distillation.

BIOFUEL TRADING

To meet the demands of an evolving and rapidly advancing market, IOT continues to expand its range of services. Our focus now extends to select illiquid commodity markets, including the trade of biofuels and biofuel certificates. We support both national and international clients in sourcing biodiesel raw materials and finished biodiesel products that fully comply with European quality standards.

TRADING IN STRATEGIC OIL STOCKS & CSO-TICKETS

Zhetysu Oil is actively engaged in the trading of physical oil stocks and CSO tickets. We conduct transactions on behalf of refineries, importers, and other market participants who operate within the oil products sector and are subject to stockholding obligations under the EU Directive, the Wva, or the IEA Convention.

PETROLEUM EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION (E&P)

To develop world-class petrochemical complexes focused on the deep processing of hydrocarbon raw materials and the production of high value-added petrochemical products for export, the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan approved the Plan of Measures for the Development of World-Class Petrochemical Complexes in Kazakhstan. This plan also includes the creation of the country’s first petrochemical complex, under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Kazakhstan.

FULL-CYCLE OIL REFINING

The strategic goal of the investment plan is to establish a modern technical base within the existing enterprise to produce high-quality oil products that meet international standards, as well as petrochemical feedstocks to support the development of national industries. A key solution to increasing the refinery’s depth of oil processing is the implementation of secondary processes, such as coking and the AVT-3 vacuum unit, which enhance conversion rates. In addition, the introduction of core deep refining technologies, including catalytic cracking, will significantly expand processing capacity and efficiency.

HOW WE TURN CRUDE INTO VALUE

Transforming crude oil into the fuels and products that power progress.

THE REFINING PROCESS

Petroleum products influence nearly every aspect of modern life. While the concept of oil refining is straightforward, its execution is highly complex—and its real-world impact is remarkable. This overview, along with the details that follow, outlines the units and processes utilized at Zhetysu Oil. At the heart of oil refining is the principle of distillation, which separates crude oil into light fractions, such as fuels, and heavy fractions, such as asphalt.

CRUDE DISTILLATION PHASE

Distillation is the process of separating hydrocarbons based on their different boiling points within a distillation tower. Heavier hydrocarbons, which have higher boiling points, are collected from the bottom of the tower, while lighter hydrocarbons, with lower boiling points, are drawn from higher points in the tower.

SULFUR RECOVERY & HYDROTREATMENT SYSTEM

Government regulations mandate that petroleum products contain minimal sulfur to meet environmental standards. To achieve this, refineries perform a process known as hydrotreating, which removes sulfur from petroleum streams. During hydrotreating, the streams are passed over fixed catalyst beds in the presence of excess hydrogen under elevated temperature and pressure. The sulfur reacts with the hydrogen to form hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), which is then removed, enabling the production of cleaner, low-sulfur fuels.