ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 29. Kazakhstan is
gradually implementing the Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) methodology
for pipeline systems, which involves technical assessments based on
risk factors, Trend
reports via the Kazakh government.


This was announced by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy, Yerlan
Akkenzhenov, during an interim meeting of the Foreign Investors'
Council, chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov.


According to Akkenzhenov, the country has already adopted a
national standard and introduced relevant inspection procedures
grounded in a risk-oriented approach.


He noted that currently, RBI methodology is undergoing practical
and pilot testing and is being applied at oil refineries as well as
in several oil and gas companies. This approach is expected to
fully transition to risk-based control technologies in the
future.


The minister emphasized that the implementation of RBI at three
of Kazakhstan’s oil refineries has already proven its
effectiveness.


"The systematic application of RBI methodology at our
refineries—Atyrau, Pavlodar, and Shymkent—has shown the
effectiveness of the risk-based approach. By implementing this
practice, we have not only reduced the likelihood of equipment
failures but also optimized inspection volumes, ensuring more
efficient use of resources," he stated.







Akkenzhenov noted that building on international experience,
Kazakhstan plans to expand the use of risk-based technical
inspections, including for technological pipelines, with a
subsequent adaptation to corporate standards and advanced control
methods.


Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) for pipelines is a systematic
approach that allocates inspection resources to high-risk zones by
evaluating the probability of failure and the consequences of
failure. It enhances maintenance by concentrating on components
with the highest likelihood of failure that could result in
substantial safety, environmental, or economic repercussions,
instead of adhering to a uniform, time-based inspection
regimen.


According to OPEC, Kazakhstan's crude oil output stood at 1.522
million barrels per day (b/d) in December 2025.


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