On December 21, the commencement ceremony of the phase-ⅡKazakhstan-China Gas Pipeline(from Beyneu to Shymkent) was held at Aktobe.
The 1,475 kilometers long pipeline starts from Beyneu, Mangghystau and ends at Shymkent, Ongtustik Qazaqstan in Kazakhstan. It will connect to the Central Asia-China Gas Pipeline at Shymkent. The annual capacity of the pipeline is designed to be 10 billion cubic meters, and can be expanded to 15 billion cubic meters. The Beyneu-Shymkent gas pipeline is constructed and operated by a joint venture between KazTransGas and CNPC Central Asia Gas Pipeline Company Limited. The first stage of the project is planned to be operational at the end of 2012.
Chinese government representative Zhang Guobao, who is Vice Chairman of National Development and Reform Commission and also director of National Energy Administration, and CNPC Vice President Wang Dongjin were present at the ceremony. In Astana, Zhang Guobao was granted the second–class medal of national friendship from Kazakh President. CNPC Aktobe project gained the best social contribution presidential medal.