On November 15, 2024, the grand opening of the Kazakh-China Enhanced Oil Recovery Joint Research Center and a laboratory sponsored by the Chinese company Xinjiang Keli New Technology Company took place in Almaty, at the A.B. Bekturov Institute of Chemical Sciences. The event was organized by the School of Energy and Petroleum Industry of the Kazakh-British Technical University (KBTU).

The rector (Chairman of the Board) of KBTU Maratbek Gabdullin delivered a welcoming speech. In his address, he emphasized the importance of this center for the development of the oil and gas industry: 

"First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to Xinjiang Keli New Technology Company for the opportunity. Over the course of the year, we have been actively discussing plans to expand KBTU's laboratory base, and today's project has become an important step in this direction. Today's initiative is especially significant because it meets the challenges of developing complex deposits that require the introduction of advanced technologies. Moreover, this project contributes to the implementation of the strategy of our leaders - President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Chairman of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping - "One Belt, One Road", strengthening cooperation and opening up new horizons for joint development."

The main focus of the center is the development and research of various technologies that can solve problems associated with enhanced oil recovery, including the use of chemical agents for complex reservoir conditions of oil fields in Kazakhstan. Particular attention is paid to technologies for the extraction of heavy oil, the creation of functional gel particles, optimization of well productivity and the prevention of CO₂ channel blockages.

Mr. Zhao Bo, President of Xinjiang Keli New Technology Company, emphasized that this project will become the basis for new opportunities in cooperation:

"Today, Xinjiang Keli New Technology Company, together with KBTU, opened a laboratory within the framework of the research center for enhanced oil recovery. This is our first laboratory opened in Kazakhstan. In the future, we hope to open new laboratories, as well as continue cooperation with KBTU in other projects."

One of the advantages of this laboratory is the use of advanced equipment and software to train world-class specialists.

For example, the CNGTX700 Rotating Drop Interfacial Tensiometer is an advanced instrument that combines high measurement accuracy, wide applicability and ease of operation. It is specially designed to measure the surface tension of various chemical water-soluble agents and the interfacial tension of water and oil, as well as the viscoelastic property of the surface tension. The research center is also equipped with an experimental device for physical modeling of oil displacement and determining the oil recovery factor (ORF) of various types of water-soluble agents at high temperature and high pressure, as well as a core permeability measurement unit, in addition, there is a high-temperature mixer for mixing water-soluble agents with crude oil and a high-temperature cabinet for studying their emulsifying properties.

Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Kazakhstan Ms. Jiang Wei noted in her speech:

"It is a great honor for me to participate in the opening of this laboratory. I would like to express my deep gratitude to KBTU for its many years of work and contribution to the development of cooperation between Kazakhstan and China. We highly appreciate your contribution to strengthening bilateral relations. Everyone knows about the dynamic development of partnership between Kazakhstan and China, including cooperation in science, education and industry."

Dean of the School of Energy and Petroleum Industry of KBTU Abdulakhat Ismailov noted the practical significance of the new center:

"Today we are opening the Kazakh-China Enhanced Oil Recovery Joint Research Center. It houses several laboratories dedicated to enhanced oil recovery methods, equipped with modern equipment provided by our Chinese partners. These laboratories will conduct scientific activities, conduct research work, and implement master's and doctoral projects."

The opening of the center marks a new stage in scientific and technical cooperation between Kazakhstan and China. The international partnership creates an open research platform that provides solutions for the oil industry of Kazakhstan and brings EOR (enhanced oil recovery) technologies to the global level. This project also highlights the key role of KBTU as a leading scientific and educational center that facilitates the integration of innovations and best practices into the global oil and gas industry.