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Kazakhstan Plans 25% Gas Output Increase by 2030

Kazakhstan aims to significantly increase its natural gas production over the next five years, raising output from 59 billion cubic meters to 74 billion cubic meters by 2030. The announcement was made by Deputy Minister of Energy Alibek Zhamauov during the Energy Trends: Gas & Petrochemicals forum in Astana. Production Growth Driven by Major Fields and New Developments In 2023, Kazakhstan produced 59 billion cubic meters of gas, with output projected to rise to 62.8 billion cubic meters in 2024. This growth will be driven by ongoing production at the country’s largest fields, Tengiz, Karachaganak, and Kashagan, as well as the launch of new sources, including the Rozhkovskoye, Anabai, and Urikhtau fields. “Our goal is to increase gas production to 74 billion cubic meters by 2030,” Zhamauov stated. “But the key task is to process gas within the country as efficiently as possible to supply our citizens and industry, as well as to create a raw material base for gas chemistry.” Currently, over 85% of Kazakhstan’s gas production comes from the Tengiz (26%), Karachaganak (41%), and Kashagan (19%) projects. By the end of 2024, marketable gas output is expected to reach 28.7 billion cubic meters, including Tengiz (8.7 bcm), Karachaganak (7.5 bcm), Kashagan (4.7 bcm), Zhanazhol (3.3 bcm), and other fields (3.6 bcm). Of this, 21.2 billion cubic meters (79%) will be consumed domestically, while 5.6 billion cubic meters (21%) will be exported. Zhamauov noted that gas production will increase by 5.9 billion cubic meters, reaching 34.6 billion cubic meters by 2030, due to the introduction of new gas processing plants (GPPs). Two GPPs, with capacities of 1 billion and 2.5 billion cubic meters respectively, will be built at the Kashagan field. A 4 billion cubic meter facility will be developed at Karachaganak, while a plant in Zhanaozen will add another 900 million cubic meters per year. LNG Plant in Astana A liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant with a capacity of 75,000 tons per year is also planned for Astana. Chingiz Cherniyazdanov, director of the Kazakh Institute of Oil and Gas (KING), shared details of the project during the forum. “The Astana LNG complex will be located in the capital’s industrial zone,” Cherniyazdanov said. “We will build the first stage with a production capacity of 75,000 tons per year, as well as a hub for LNG storage. Commissioning is scheduled for 2027.” The plant will source feedstock from the Saryarka gas trunkline (Kyzylorda-Zhezkazgan-Temirtau-Astana). A storage facility will be constructed to balance seasonal fuel demand during colder months. KING also plans to use the LNG to launch a vehicle conversion service. Cherniyazdanov added that, following completion of the second string of the Beineu-Bozoi-Shymkent gas pipeline, which will double capacity from 15 to 30 billion cubic meters per year, the LNG plant could expand to a second stage, increasing production to 100,000 tons per year. The pipeline expansion will be carried out in two phases: from September 2025 to July 2027, and from August 2027 to January 2029. Expanded Gas Infrastructure and...

Decarbonization Oil and Gas Oil Azerbaijan Transit

Kazakhstan Agrees to Increase Oil Transit Through Azerbaijan

Kazakhstan’s KazMunayGas and Azerbaijan’s SOCAR have agreed to increase the transit of Kazakh oil through the Aktau-Baku-Ceyhan route in 2025. The decision was made during a meeting in Baku between KazMunayGas Chairman Askhat Hasenov and SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf, where they reviewed progress on the 2022 oil transportation agreement. At the end of 2024, the volume of Kazakh oil transported through Azerbaijan reached 1.4 million tons. Under the new plan, this figure is set to increase to 1.7 million tons in 2025. The expansion will enhance the transit potential of both Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, while boosting Kazakhstan’s access to global energy markets. Focus on Decarbonization and Energy Cooperation During the talks, the two companies also discussed their strategic partnership on decarbonization, which was formalized at the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP-29) in Azerbaijan. The agreement focuses on: Introducing low-carbon technologies in the oil and gas sector. Reducing harmful emissions from energy production. Additionally, discussions covered joint exploration projects, oil and gas production, investment opportunities, and the digitalization of industrial processes. “SOCAR is a key partner of KazMunayGas. Together, we will continue to contribute to global energy security and the stability of hydrocarbon supplies. This partnership will create new transit opportunities through the Caspian region,” said Hasenov. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan’s Broader Cooperation Beyond oil transit, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan recently signed an agreement to construct an underwater fiber-optic communication line across the Caspian Sea. The deal was finalized during Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov’s recent visit to Baku. This project, along with the expanded oil transit, highlights the deepening economic and strategic partnership between the two Caspian nations.

Economic Cooperation Transport Export/Import Industry Transit Azerbaijan Bilateral Cooperation Economic Integration

Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan Collaborate to Construct Ferries

Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan plan to cooperate on the construction of ferries. These ferries will be provided for Uzbekistan's needs, and the project will cost $150 million. Several measures are being suggested to expand the countries' cooperation in the transport and transit sectors. The joint construction of warehouse infrastructure is being mooted, as well as the creation of a joint venture to further develop transportation along the Trans-Caspian route. The Times of Central Asia previously wrote about the Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan business forum that was held in Tashkent on August 22. As a result of the forum, a portfolio of projects worth $2 billion was formed in energy, chemistry, mining, textile, agriculture, urban development, and other areas. Also, on May 1 this year, the energy ministers of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan met in Tashkent and signed a memorandum of cooperation to connect their countries' energy networks. The initiative's main goal is to study the means of connecting energy systems through a high-voltage cable installed in the Caspian Sea to export green energy from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan to countries of the European Union.

Caspian Trade Transit Transport Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan: OSCE promotes development of green ports, connectivity in Caspian region

TURKMENBASHI, Turkmenistan (TCA) — Two OSCE-supported events launched activities in Turkmenistan aimed at promoting green ports and connectivity in the Caspian Sea region. A roundtable discussion for experts on 29 October took place in Ashgabat and a technical workshop was held on 30 October at the Turkmenbashi International Seaport, the OSCE reported. Continue reading

Afghanistan Pakistan Transit China Central Asia Transport

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor may be expanded to Afghanistan

KABUL (TCA) — China has reportedly looked into the possibility of expanding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to war-ravaged Afghanistan, Russia’s Sputnik news agency reported. Continue reading

Transit Uzbekistan Kazakhstan Transport

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan open transit highway

NUR-SULTAN (TCA) — Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Askar Mamin and Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov, on July 17 in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau region, attended the opening ceremony of the international highway Beineu–Akzhigit–the border of Uzbekistan. Mamin congratulated on the opening of traffic on this international motor road and stressed the importance of the event for the development of the transport infrastructure of Central Asia, increasing trade volumes, and taking advantage of the region’s transit potential, the press service of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan reported. The opening of this road is a symbol of the intensive development of strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Mamin said, adding that “it is deeply symbolic that this project started in the Year of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan”. According to the head of Kazakh Government, in recent years, relations between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have reached a qualitatively new level and have acquired a steady positive trend. This is confirmed by the annual growth in bilateral trade, which amounted to $3 billion last year. Since the beginning of this year, there has been a positive growth trend. Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov spoke about the strategic importance of the event for the two neighboring fraternal countries of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. “The successful implementation of this project will give a new impetus to the Silk Road trade flows and the development of our entire region,” said Aripov, adding that “this highway is, first of all, of great importance for the further activation of trade and economic relations between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.”