Maksat Babayev, State Minister of Turkmenistan and Chairman of the State Concern ‘Türkmengaz’, summarised the results and outlined the prospects for cooperation with China. The statement was made at the International Scientific and Practical Conference marking the 20th anniversary of the strategic partnership in the gas sector, reports AsmanNews.

During the high-level plenary session, he noted that over this period, ‘Türkmengaz’ and CNPC had implemented large-scale projects. At the ‘Galkynysh’ field, three gas processing plants with a combined capacity of 30 billion cubic metres of gas per year have been built and commissioned as part of the first phase. The facilities are operating normally and meet domestic demand as well as supplying exports.

A key milestone in the cooperation was the signing in 2007 of the Production Sharing Agreement for the ‘Bagtyyarlyk’ contract area on the right bank of the Amu Darya. A modern production infrastructure was established as part of the project. Investments totalled US$10.7 billion and have been fully recouped. As of 1 April 2026, the Turkmen side’s revenue from the project exceeded US$19.2 billion.

The project involves not only gas production but also the processing of hydrocarbon feedstock, including the production of gas condensate and industrial sulphur.

Around 8,700 people work at ‘Bagtyyarlyk’, over 90% of whom are citizens of Turkmenistan. Staff training programmes are being implemented, including training at the China University of Petroleum.

The implementation of the fourth phase of the ‘Galkynysh’ project and the development of the ‘Bagtyyarlyk’ area have been identified as priorities for further cooperation. Particular attention is being paid to technological modernisation, including digitalisation and the introduction of modern management systems.

As Maksat Babayev noted, CNPC remains a strategic partner of ‘Türkmengaz’, and the parties intend to deepen their cooperation.

According to him, cooperation in the gas sector has contributed to the economic development and strengthening of the region’s energy security.