Kazakhstan’s oil workers and government: what we can learn

Simon PiraniSenior research fellow,

Oxford Institute for Energy Studies

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me 2011 oil field strike: causes and consequences

Kazakhstan as an energy producer and exporterOil – for export. Coal and gas – for the domestic economy

Management of oil wealth and government policyTaking distance from Russia; closer links with ChinaGovernment/IOCs disputes over revenue splitThe gap between rich and poor has widened

Trade unionism in the oil field The shadow of “official” Soviet trade unionismEfforts to establish new, independent workers’ organisations

 

The oil field strike of 2011The longest strike in post-Soviet labour history (May-Dec 2011)From pay and conditions dispute to broad social movement

The government responseThe Zhanaozen massacre (minimum 16 dead, 60 wounded)Clampdown on trade unions, political opposition and media (2012)

Conclusions

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Crude oil for export, Crude oil for export, coal and gas used at homecoal and gas used at home

Crude oil for export, Crude oil for export, coal and gas used at homecoal and gas used at home

Kazakhstan's energy balance (millions of tonnes of oil equivalent)

Production Exports Imports Consumed

Crude oil 78.0 65.4 6.1 18.7

Natural gas 22.8 5.6 1.8 19.2

Coal and peat 44.3 13.2 0.5 31.6

Other/ oil products 0.7 6.1 1.8 -3.7

Total 145.8 90.3 10.2 65.8

2009, net calorific value basis. Source: IEA Energy Balances

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July 2011: demonstrating in ZhanaozenJuly 2011: demonstrating in ZhanaozenJuly 2011: demonstrating in ZhanaozenJuly 2011: demonstrating in Zhanaozen

Source: Nadejda Atayeva’s blog