A new high-tech production facility of QazExpoCentre-Pipe has been launched in Uralsk. This project marks another step toward strengthening Kazakhstan’s position in the oil and gas machinery sector and reducing dependence on imported products.

The West Kazakhstan Region continues to demonstrate steady industrial growth. The opening of the new workshop for the production of pump-compressor couplings is a clear confirmation of the focus on developing the non-resource sector, the necessity of which has been repeatedly emphasized by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Approximately 5 billion tenge has been invested in the project. The production line is designed to produce up to 165,000 couplings per year. These components play a key role in the oil and gas industry, ensuring reliable pipe connections during drilling, operation, and well maintenance. Previously, such products were largely imported, but now Kazakhstan has the opportunity to meet domestic demand through its own production.

With the launch of the workshop, the enterprise has completed the formation of a full production cycle. This means that all stages leading up to the finished product are carried out within the plant. This approach improves quality control, reduces production costs, and strengthens the company’s market position.

New Technologies and Opportunities 

The workshop is equipped with modern machinery, including machines from Germany, Russia, and China. The production line is fully automated: robotic systems operate between the machines, minimizing human error and increasing processing precision.

The company’s Executive Director, Alexander Bezrukov, spoke in detail about the capabilities of the new production facility.

“The launch of this workshop is the result of the team’s long-term and systematic work. We have created a fully-fledged high-tech production facility capable of competing at the international level. The line allows us to produce couplings with diameters ranging from 60 to 245 mm, while the level of automation significantly improves quality consistency. Depending on the size, we can produce between 50 and 320 units per day. The total production capacity for pipe products reaches approximately 40,000 tons per year. It is important to note that the equipment is integrated into a unified digital control system. This allows us to monitor all stages of production in real time. We also plan to implement additional product protection technologies, including phosphating of threaded connections. In the long term, this will increase the durability of the products. “It is of fundamental importance to us to comply with international standards,” he emphasized.

Jobs and Innovation

The opening of the new workshop has created about 50 jobs. Currently, more than 300 people work at the plant, and the workforce will continue to grow as the facility expands further.

"Today’s event is of strategic importance for the entire region. We are witnessing the region’s industry reaching a new level. The 5 billion tenge investment represents not only production capacity but also new opportunities for residents. Job creation directly impacts the population’s standard of living. The company serves as a model of effective industrial policy. Over the past three years, the company has contributed approximately 15 billion tenge in taxes to the budget. This is a significant contribution to the development of social infrastructure. We also note the high level of technological equipment at the facility. The region is interested in such projects and will continue to support business. Our task is to create a favorable investment climate. I am confident that such initiatives will only expand. This strengthens the region’s economic stability,” noted the regional governor Nariman Turegaliev, emphasizing the project’s significance for the region.

The company is actively implementing modern digital solutions. Already today, the enterprise operates a product labeling system using QR codes, which ensures full product traceability. Immediate plans include the implementation of RFID technologies to automate warehouse and logistics processes.

"We are structuring our production in line with global best practices. Our plant carries out the full cycle of manufacturing pipe products for the oil and gas industry. Raw materials are sourced from both Kazakhstan and abroad, ensuring production flexibility. Particular attention is paid to the quality of connections—these are premium-class products. Previously, such products were not manufactured in Kazakhstan. The launch of the workshop was the result of collaboration with international specialists. They participated in equipment commissioning and staff training. “Today we possess unique expertise. The production process runs around the clock. In the future, we plan to launch new processing stages, including anti-corrosion coating. This will significantly extend the service life of our products,” said Madiyar Arykbaev, head of the technical department at QazExpoCentre-Pipe.

Quality Control in Practice

Strict quality control remains a key element of the production process. Sleeve-cutting inspector Aynara Nurbolatova checks every part.

"Working with the new equipment requires high precision and responsibility. Every sleeve undergoes mandatory testing for compliance with standards. We use modern measuring instruments. Automation significantly reduces the likelihood of defects. However, the final decision is always made by a specialist. We closely monitor the quality of threaded connections. This is one of the most important parameters. The new equipment allows us to achieve nearly perfect results. It is important to us that our products fully meet customer requirements. We also digitally record inspection results. This increases process transparency. Quality is our top priority," she said.

Today, about 90% of the company’s products are supplied to major oil and gas operators in Kazakhstan, including KazMunayGas. In addition, products are exported to countries in Central Asia and neighboring regions. The company collaborates with the largest operators of oil and gas projects, which confirms the high level of trust in product quality and compliance with international standards, including American Petroleum Institute certification.

Development Prospects

The launch of the new plant in Uralsk is of strategic importance not only for the company but also for the entire regional economy. First, localizing production reduces dependence on imports, which is particularly important given the global instability of supply chains. Second, the development of high-tech manufacturing contributes to the growth of workforce skills and the development of new competencies.

Investments in industry have a multiplier effect: jobs are created, tax revenues increase, and infrastructure develops. The growth in investment in the region—from 840 billion tenge last year to a planned 1.05 trillion tenge this year—demonstrates the region’s high investment appeal.

A promising area is the launch of production of seamless pipes with an internal coating, with a capacity of up to 100,000 tons per year. This will allow the company to enter new markets and strengthen its export potential. An additional growth factor is the introduction of innovative technologies, including the automation and digitalization of production processes.

In the long term, QazExpoCentre-Pipe could become one of the key players not only in Kazakhstan but also in the Central Asian market. The development of such enterprises forms the industrial foundation of the economy and contributes to the transition from a resource-based model to a manufacturing-based one.

Source: zhaikpress.kz