Almas Zhaiylgan is a Counsel in the Almaty office. He has more than 20 years of experience advising companies in the oil, gas and mining sectors, as well as on upstream exploration and production projects in Kazakhstan.

Almas also has broad experience in mergers and acquisitions and regularly advises clients on various corporate, regulatory and compliance matters.

Almas is regarded for his extensive experience assisting major oil and gas companies and banks as well as advising on capital market matters in the field. Almas is experienced in conventional energy deals.

Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2025

RECENT ENGAGEMENTS INCLUDE ADVISING

Energy & Natural Resources

• A MAJOR PETROLEUM COMPANY on the acquisitions of interests in two Kazakhstan entities having rights to exploration and production assets*
• A NATIONAL OIL COMPANY on the acquisition of a stake in the Kashagan oil field in the Kazakhstan sector of the Caspian Sea*
• A MAJOR OIL COMPANY on its acquisition of an interest in an oil block in the North Caspian*
• ENRC PLC, a diversified industrial group with large holdings in mining and metals, on its successful initial public offering (IPO) on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), which raised GBP 1.5 billion*

*Experience prior to joining Kinstellar.

EDUCATION

• 2005: University of Houston Law Center, Houston, USA, LL.M. in Energy, Environment and Natural Resources
• 2005: Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan, Specialist in International Law (with honours)
• 1997: Indiana University, Bloomington, USA, BS in Business

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION

• Member of Kazakhstan Petroleum Lawyers' Association
• Member of Association of International Petroleum Negotiators
• Arbitrator of the Kazakhstan International Arbitrage

LANGUAGES

Russian, Kazakh, English