40th anniversary of Kumkol
Chronology of major events
1982. Yuzhkazgeologia Production Geological Association, Kazgeofizika, and the Institute of Geology and Oil of the Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR developed a comprehensive geological exploration program for the South Turgai Basin.
1982. The South Kazakhstan Oil Exploration Expedition drilled the first deep exploration well at the Kumkol field.
Winter 1984. A drilling crew led by Ya. Kamalutdinov obtained the first oil gusher.
June 6, 1985. An order of the USSR Ministry of Oil Industry was issued on organizing preparatory work for the development and commissioning of the Kumkol field in the Kazakh SSR. In accordance with this order, KazNIPIneft and Yuzhgipronefteprovod institutes began developing the project “Development of the Kumkol Field under pilot industrial operation.”
1986. A Capital Construction Department “Kumkol” was established within the Mangyshlakneft Production Association to oversee field development. M.G. Salamatov, Deputy General Director of Mangyshlakneft, was appointed head of the department. This date is considered the start of Kumkol’s industrial development.
June 1987. The first oil derrick was erected at the Kumkol field.
December 24, 1987. The Kumkolneft Oil and Gas Production Department was established in Kyzylorda. Murat Salamatov was appointed Head, Zhenis Zhalgasov – Chief Engineer, and Kenkhan Aidarbekov – Chief Geologist.
May 9, 1990. The first tons of Kumkol oil were delivered via the Omsk–Shymkent pipeline to the Shymkent Oil Refinery.
March 21, 1991. Kumkolneft was reorganized into the Yuzhkazneftegaz Production Association (YUNG). Development of all oil and gas fields in Southern Kazakhstan came under its jurisdiction.
June 1991. The first one million tons of oil were produced.
1994. Murat Salamatov was appointed First Vice Minister of Oil and Gas Industry. Robert Berdyguzhin was appointed President of YUNG JSC.
1994. A milestone year for Kumkol: 10 years of industrial development and production of the 10-millionth ton of oil.
December 4, 1996. The Cabinet of Ministers of Kazakhstan issued a resolution on the privatization of Yuzhneftegaz JSC by Hurricane Hydrocarbons Limited.
April 1997. Yuzhneftegaz was renamed Hurricane Kumkol Munai, with Keith McRae elected as President.
June 2001. The company was renamed PetroKazakhstan Kumkol Resources JSC.
October 2005. China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) became the new owner of PetroKazakhstan Inc.
July 2006. KazMunayGas National Company JSC became the second shareholder of PetroKazakhstan, acquiring a 33% stake.
September 2011. The 25th anniversary of the industrial development of the Kumkol field was celebrated.
2026. The 35th anniversary of the industrial development of the Kumkol field is marked.
