Kazakhstan's Economic Engine: Crude Oil

Crude oil is Kazakhstan's dominant product and export. The country holds the largest oil reserves in Central Asia and ranks ~12th globally in production (~1.8 million barrels/day). Key fields: Tengiz, Kashagan, Karachaganak. Exports (~1.5 million bpd) flow mainly to China, Russia, and Europe via pipelines (CPC, Atyrau-Samara) and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. Oil revenues fund the sovereign wealth fund (Samruk-Kazyna) and drive government budgets. Diversification efforts are underway but oil remains the backbone.