Sustainability & HSE

Our Commitment

As an industrial operator in the Republic of Kazakhstan, KNPZ accepts the full weight of its environmental and safety responsibilities. Petroleum refining is an inherently complex industrial activity, and we are committed to managing its risks with technical rigour, regulatory compliance, and a culture that places the protection of people and the environment ahead of operational convenience.

Kazakhstan’s regulatory environment has evolved substantially in recent years. Following Kazakhstan’s accession to the Global Methane Pledge, the Ministry of Energy has intensified regulatory oversight of hydrocarbon processing and storage facilities. KNPZ proactively aligns its operations with this tightening framework, treating regulatory compliance as a floor, not a ceiling.

Health & Safety Framework

  • 24/7 operational supervision by certified process engineers and shift supervisors
  • Mandatory HSE induction and ongoing safety training for all personnel
  • Permit-to-work system for all non-routine and hazardous activities
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) standards enforced throughout the facility
  • Regular emergency response drills — fire, spill, and medical scenarios
  • Near-miss and incident reporting culture with non-punitive investigation process
  • Industrial hygiene monitoring for hydrocarbon vapour exposure in work zones
  • Compliance with Kazakhstan’s Law on Industrial Safety requirements

Environmental Management

  • Atmospheric emissions monitoring at all combustion and process sources
  • Vapour recovery units (VRU) at product loading racks to reduce VOC emissions
  • Wastewater treatment system for refinery process water before discharge
  • Contained secondary bunding around all above-ground storage tanks
  • Oil-water separator for site drainage systems
  • Solid waste management programme including oil sludge segregation and certified disposal
  • Emergency spill response plan with spill containment equipment staged at key locations
  • Environmental reporting to oblast and national regulatory authorities

Community Responsibility

KNPZ operates within the Kostanai industrial area and is conscious of its relationship with the surrounding community. We are committed to:

  • Maintaining operational noise and emissions within permitted limits to protect residential areas
  • Engaging with local authorities on environmental monitoring and transparency
  • Prioritising local workforce recruitment, skills development, and employment
  • Supporting local supplier relationships wherever quality and capability allow
  • Contributing to community infrastructure and social programmes in Kostanai Oblast

Sustainability Alignment — Kazakhstan 2050

Kazakhstan’s 2050 Strategy commits to 50% of energy consumption coming from renewable or alternative sources by 2050, with an intermediate target of 15% renewables in the electricity grid by 2030. KNPZ acknowledges this long-term transition and is committed to improving the environmental efficiency of our refining operations year-on-year — reducing energy intensity, minimising flaring, and progressively upgrading fuel quality from K4 toward K5+ standards as technology and regulatory timelines demand.