Daiyrbek Orunbekov noted that the company "Kyrgyzneftegaz," engaged in oil extraction, was founded in 1952. During the Soviet era, the extracted oil was sent to Uzbekistan for refining into gasoline and diesel. With the collapse of the USSR, this process ceased, and Kyrgyzstan did not have its own oil refinery, which limited processing capabilities.
In 1996, "Kyrgyzneftegaz" established a subsidiary called "Kyrgyz Petroleum Company," which began refining oil within the country. However, due to equipment limitations, the plant only produced AI-80 gasoline and diesel fuel.
After Kyrgyzstan joined the Customs Union, fuels meeting Euro standards, such as AI-92, AI-95, and AI-98, began to be actively used in the domestic market, most of which is imported from Russia. As a result, the demand for local AI-80 gasoline significantly decreased.
Since 2021, "Kyrgyzneftegaz" and its subsidiary came under the control of Kamchybek Tashiev, and his nephew Baigazy Matisakov was appointed as the head. According to tax authorities, a corruption scheme was uncovered during this period, leading to significant financial losses.
Orunbekov reported that the crude oil extracted by "Kyrgyzneftegaz" was supposed to be processed at the "Kyrgyz Petroleum Company," with profits from the sale of petroleum products going to the state budget. However, private intermediaries linked to the Tashiev family were involved in the process, allowing them to profit from sales while the actual processing was carried out at the state plant.
Additionally, AI-80 gasoline and diesel fuel, which were not in demand in the domestic market, were sold to large oil traders. These companies were forced to blend local fuel with higher-quality fuel sourced from Russia for subsequent sale.
After the dismissal of Kamchybek Tashiev, purchases of local gasoline and diesel fuel ceased, leading to stockpiles accumulating at the "Kyrgyz Petroleum Company" warehouses. In light of this situation, the government temporarily allowed the export of locally produced AI-80 gasoline and diesel fuel.
It is expected that products produced at "Junda" and "Kyrgyz Petroleum Company" will be exported to Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Euro-standard fuel supplied from Russia will not be exported.
Currently, the state has initiated the modernization of "Kyrgyz Petroleum Company," which is expected to be completed within two years. After the upgrade, the plant will be able to produce fuel meeting Euro standards and supply the domestic market, Orunbekov reports.
