BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 12. Tajikistan is
entering a decisive phase of one of the most ambitious oil and gas
projects in its history — the Bokhtar project, which is expected to
determine whether the country can substantially expand its domestic
resource base and reduce its dependence on imported fuel.
In early 2027, the project is scheduled to commence drilling of
its first ultra-deep exploration well, with a target depth of up to
7,000 meters. Specialists are currently finalizing the processing
of seismic survey data and identifying the optimal drilling
location. The results of the well are expected to provide the first
practical assessment of the commercial potential of hydrocarbon
resources in southwestern Tajikistan. “The main objective of the
company’s activities is to conduct geological and seismic
exploration, identify structures with commercial oil and gas
potential, select a location for an exploration well, and discover
new oil and gas fields in the southwestern regions of the country,”
the Project Management Committee said at a meeting in September
2025.
The Bokhtar project is being implemented by China’s CNPC under a
production sharing agreement with the Tajik government. Exploration
activities cover an area of approximately 35,000–36,000 square
kilometers in the Khatlon region, which forms part of the
Afghan-Tajik Basin — a geological area associated with hydrocarbon
basins in Uzbekistan, northern Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan.
At the current stage, the project remains focused on resource
exploration rather than confirmed reserves. The potential of the
deep geological formations has yet to be established through
commercial results, although years of research have identified
promising structures. “This process marks not only the beginning of
oil and gas activities, but also opens a new stage of economic
development, investment attraction and rational use of the
country’s natural resources,” Tajik Minister of Energy and Water
Resources Daler Juma said in June 2025 at a ceremony marking the
launch of 2D seismic exploration.
Before moving to drilling, CNPC carried out extensive
preparatory work. In 2024, the company completed magnetic and
gravity surveys covering 15,400 square kilometers, investing around
$7.4 million. In June 2025, a new phase of 2D seismic exploration
began, involving the study of around 1,017 kilometers of seismic
profiles. These findings are expected to help identify the most
promising location for the ultra-deep well.
However, the project remains technically challenging. Drilling
to depths of up to 7,000 meters involves extreme temperatures and
pressures, which may reach around 180 degrees Celsius and 140 MPa.
Geologists must also account for the complex geological structure
of the region, including salt formations and tectonic faults,
requiring specialized equipment and technologies.
The project has a history spanning more than 15 years. In 2008,
a production sharing agreement for the block was signed with
Canada’s Tethys Petroleum, which estimated potential resources at
up to 27.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent. TotalEnergies and
CNPC later joined the project, although the Chinese company
eventually became the main foreign participant. In 2024,
Tajikistan’s parliament ratified the transfer of TotalEnergies’
stake to the Chinese side.
For Dushanbe, the success of the project would have strategic
importance. Tajikistan remains a small hydrocarbon producer and
imports a significant share of its petroleum products and liquefied
gas. The discovery of new fields could strengthen the country’s
energy security and create a foundation for developing domestic
refining capacity.
At the same time, ensuring fuel supplies remains an immediate
challenge. The Tajik government is considering expanding sources of
petroleum product imports, including supplies from China. In late
July, Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma discussed
this issue with Chinese Ambassador to Tajikistan Guo Zhijun in
Dushanbe. According to the ministry, particular attention was paid
to imports of petroleum products from China.
The need to identify additional suppliers has increased amid
risks facing traditional supply channels. More than 90 percent of
Tajikistan’s fuel imports come from Russia, and potential supply
disruptions or price increases are prompting Dushanbe to consider
alternative options. Fuel and lubricant supplies were also
discussed at a government meeting in July 2026.
According to official data, in the first six months of 2026
Tajikistan imported around 600,000 tons of diesel fuel, gasoline
and aviation kerosene - approximately 40,000 tons more than in the
same period last year. At the same time, fuel prices increased,
with diesel prices rising over two months from 11 somoni ($1.19) to
17 somoni ($1.84) per liter.
It is against this backdrop that the Bokhtar project is gaining
additional significance. If reserves are confirmed and commercial
development follows, the project could become one of the
instruments for reducing Tajikistan’s long-term dependence on
external supplies and strengthening its energy resilience.
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has repeatedly linked energy
development with the goal of reducing external dependence. In his
Address to the parliament in December 2025, he said: “In September
2027, the third unit of the Rogun Hydropower Plant will be
commissioned, which will allow the country to fully ensure energy
independence.”
At the same time, Dushanbe’s energy strategy extends beyond
electricity generation. Over the past 10 years, more than 60
billion somoni ($6.5 billion) has been invested in the country’s
energy sector, while electricity generation capacity has increased
by 1,017 megawatts. In parallel, authorities are focusing on
developing the resource base and processing industries.
In this context, Emomali Rahmon has also proposed that Central
Asian nations consider the construction of a major oil refinery
using advanced technologies. Speaking at an informal meeting of the
leaders of Central Asian states and Azerbaijan in Cholpon-Ata, he
noted that instability in global energy markets directly affects
the interests of the region. “Let us all, taking into account the
current situation, seriously consider this pressing issue.
Specifically, I propose instructing our relevant agencies to
consider the construction of a large oil refinery in the region
using the latest technologies,” the Tajik president said.
For this reason, Dushanbe views the Bokhtar project not only as
a standalone exploration initiative but also as part of a broader
strategy aimed at strengthening energy independence. If drilling is
successful and reserves are subsequently developed, Tajikistan
could strengthen its domestic resource base, expand opportunities
for the petrochemical sector and reduce reliance on external
supplies. The start of drilling in 2027 will be the key test for a
project that has evolved from initial agreements into a modern
high-tech exploration effort. For Tajikistan, the results of this
well could determine the prospects of the country’s oil and gas
sector for decades to come.
