This transformation of the city is somewhat remarkable, and change has always been a constant here. It has had six names since its first mention in 1830 and four in just the last three decades.

KazMunayGaz is the country's operator for exploration, production, refining and transportation of hydrocarbons, representing the state interests in the oil and gas industry of Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan, the world’s ninth biggest country by land mass, yet sparsely populated (19 million, or at 197th in density, one of the lowest in the world), might not be associated with the rush to “Green energy”.