Kazakhstan Plays Key Role in Global Energy Stability
Astana, The Gulf Observer: Kazakhstan continues to hold a pivotal position in ensuring global energy stability, driven by its vast resources, strategic industry policies, and strong human capital, according to a senior executive of Shell plc.
Suzanne Coogan highlighted that Kazakhstan’s significance extends beyond its natural resources, emphasizing the country’s effective implementation of industry objectives and the breadth of development opportunities available across both individual projects and the wider energy sector.
Drawing on her experience working in the country, Coogan noted that despite a complex operating environment and technological challenges, Kazakhstan continues to advance major energy projects. She attributed this progress to a combination of international expertise and the adoption of modern, collaborative technologies across ongoing and future initiatives.
She further underscored the emergence of a more sustainable and integrated system of cooperation among industry participants. Companies operating in Kazakhstan are contributing to the development of supply chains and the creation of added value, enabling more efficient processes from production through to refining, and strengthening the resilience of the overall energy sector.
Coogan also stressed the importance of local content development, noting that Kazakhstani nationals now make up approximately 95–96 percent of the company’s workforce in the country. This, she said, reflects Shell’s commitment to supporting national talent and enhancing local capabilities.
Having operated in Kazakhstan for nearly 35 years, Shell continues to expand its footprint, including the recent signing of a new license for field development. Upcoming seismic surveys, which will involve a significant number of local specialists, are expected to play a key role in future operations.
Concluding her remarks, Coogan emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships within the energy sector, noting that deeper cooperation will unlock new opportunities for the market and its stakeholders.
