Kazakh refinery online by 2012

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Oil refineries in the Kazakh province of Mangistau could be completed as early as 2012, officials said following a tour of the region.

Construction on the oil refinery in the western portions of the province is slated to begin in 2009. Upon completion, it could produce some 7.3 million barrels per year, the Interfax news agency in Kazakhstan reported Monday.

The estimates followed a visit to the region by Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Masimov.

The three oil refineries in Kazakhstan currently produce a total of 110 million barrels of oil per year. Domestic consumption is about 88 million barrels per year.

Kazakhstan is looking to escape the economic turmoil hitting major markets by moving to diversify its future energy export potential.