ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 16. Turkmenistan
and China are entering a new phase of cooperation in the gas
sector, said Maksat Babayev, Chairperson of Turkmengaz,
highlighting two decades of collaboration with China National
Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Trend reports.


Speaking at an international scientific-practical conference
titled “Turkmenistan - People's Republic of China: 20 Years of
Strategic Cooperation in the Gas Sector,” Babayev noted that the
partnership has resulted in large-scale projects unique in Central
Asia.


He pointed to the development of three gas processing plants at
the Galkynysh field during the first phase, with a combined
capacity of 30 billion cubic meters of commercial gas per year.


“Today these facilities operate stably, meeting both domestic
demand and export obligations,” he said.


Babayev also recalled the 2007 production sharing agreement for
the Bagtyyarlyk project on the right bank of the Amu Darya, under
which $10.7 billion was invested in production infrastructure,
including gas processing facilities. He noted that the investments
have been fully recovered, while the project enabled comprehensive
monetization of resources, including gas condensate extraction and
sulfur production.


He further emphasized the human capital dimension, stating that
around 8,700 people are employed in the project, more than 90% of
whom are Turkmen citizens, alongside training programs including
education in Chinese universities.


On financial cooperation, Babayev highlighted that the China
Development Bank provided an $8.1 billion loan to support export
capacity development, which Turkmenistan fully repaid in June
2021.







“This confirms financial discipline and a responsible approach
to obligations,” he said.


He also announced the signing of a contract with CNPC Amu Darya
Petroleum Company for the design and development of the fourth
phase of the Galkynysh field, with a projected capacity of 10
billion cubic meters of gas per year. The project will be financed
through Turkmenistan’s own resources, as part of a seven-stage
development plan aimed at gradually increasing production and
ensuring stable exports.


Babayev added that key priorities include advancing the fourth
phase of Galkynysh, developing the Bagtyyarlyk project, and
modernizing the sector through advanced management and monitoring
systems. Chinese companies, including China Petroleum Engineering
and Construction Company, continue to play an active role in
construction, servicing, and equipment supply.


He concluded that two decades of Turkmen-Chinese cooperation
have made a significant contribution to regional energy security
and to the economic and technological development of both
countries.


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