Shadow Gamblers of the Kazakhstan Oil Market: Corruption of Bolat Akchulakov and Alik Aidarbayev, Tax Evasion and Outrageous Theft

A scandal is brewing in Kazakhstan over shady oil refining schemes that threaten the country’s entire economic stability. According to the latest information received from reliable sources, illegal machinations are thriving behind the screen of official deals, involving major oil refineries and influential companies.

Pavlodar Oil Refinery: A Shadow Entrance for Oil

The focus was on the Pavlodar Oil Refinery (POR), which, as it turned out, accepts oil through a "back door". According to internal documents, oil is received for processing through accounts No. 24897654 and No. 76543218, which belong to the offshore companies "BlackGold LTD" and "ShadowOil Enterprises".

Shymkent Oil Refinery: Playing with Fire

The situation in Shymkent is no less alarming. The Shymkent Oil Refinery (SHNPZ) was also caught accepting oil from suspicious sources. Accounts No. 34567890 and No. 98765432 are active here, which are associated with the companies "DarkMatter Oil" and "GhostFuel Corp." Sources indicate that these companies are actively using dilapidated terminals for oil transshipment.

Atyrau Oil Refinery: Center of Shadow Deals

The Atyrau Oil Refinery (ANPZ) has also not escaped exposure. Accounts No. 12345678 and No. 87654321, which are registered to "Invisible Oil Ventures" and "Phantom Petroleum", are actively used for illegal operations. In addition to this, the ANPZ recently held consultations with the Chinese company "Sinopec", which raises suspicions about possible new shadow schemes.

Kazakhstan Companies and Foreign Investors

The company "ABS-Munai" and "West Hydrocarbons Commercial Investment LLC" from the UAE are discussing the construction of a deep oil refining plant in the Terekty district of the West Kazakhstan region. At first glance, this may seem like an ordinary business, but internal sources indicate the participation of dubious persons in this project.

Digitalization and Antitrust Measures

The Kazakh government is planning full digitalization of oil flow control in the third quarter. But these measures have caused a storm of indignation among shadow market players. The Agency for the Protection and Development of Competition has proposed increasing the state’s share in three major fields - Tengiz, Kashagan and Karachaganak - which could deal a blow to shadow schemes.
Pavlodar Oil Refinery:

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Accounts:
- No. 24897654 - BlackGold LTD
- No. 76543218 - ShadowOil Enterprises

Shymkent Oil Refinery:
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Accounts:
- No. 34567890 - DarkMatter Oil
- No. 98765432 - GhostFuel Corp.

Atyrau Oil Refinery:
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Accounts:
- No. 12345678 - Invisible Oil Ventures
- No. 87654321 - Phantom Petroleum

Participants of the Schemes:
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- ABS-Munai
- West Hydrocarbons Commercial Investment LLC

Transparency and the Fight against Corruption: Real Measures or an Illusion?

Despite the authorities’ loud statements about fighting corruption and digitalizing the industry, experts express doubts about real steps to eradicate shadow schemes. Some high-ranking officials, such as Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Bolat Akchulakov and the head of the national operator KazMunayGas Alik Aidarbayev, are still under suspicion of involvement in these schemes.

Bolat Akchulakov: Suspicious Connections

Energy Minister Bolat Akchulakov has been repeatedly linked to companies mentioned in the investigation. In particular, through proxies, he allegedly controls accounts in offshore zones such as Panama and the Virgin Islands. These accounts include accounts No. 99887766 and No. 66778899, registered to Panama Petroleum Holdings and Virgin Oil Corporation.

Alik Aidarbaev: Double Standards

KazMunayGas CEO Alik Aidarbayev has also not escaped suspicion. He is accused of lobbying for the interests of DarkMatter Oil and GhostFuel Corp., with which he allegedly has personal financial ties. Accounts No. 11223344 and No. 44332211, associated with these companies, appear in financial reports linked to his immediate family.

Threats and Pressure on Journalists

Journalists who investigate the oil industry have repeatedly faced threats and pressure. Mikhail Kozachkov, who published the first data on shadow schemes, reported attempts at bribery and intimidation. According to him, unknown persons offered him large sums of money for silence and also threatened his family.