Turkmenistan’s energy cooperation with the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) has been enriched with new production and technological areas over the past two decades. Currently, the essence of the partnership covers not only the volumes and export of energy resources, but also aspects such as the quality of engineering solutions, training of specialists, and the modernization of the production base.

The history of CNPC's operations in Turkmenistan dates back to 2006–2007. In March 2026, the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov proposed celebrating the 20th anniversary of cooperation through a special international conference.

Over two decades, the partnership has extended beyond individual contracts, forming a large-scale production and infrastructure system ranging from geological exploration and drilling to gas processing, construction of field facilities, and natural gas transportation.

From the First Wells to an Integrated Production System

CNPC began its operations in Turkmenistan with investments in oil and gas projects and engineering-technical services. The drilling of the 15th well within the framework of the Yolotan project became one of the key examples of experience in this field.

Drilling operations were carried out in complex salt formations, under high pressure and temperature conditions, as well as amid the alternating geological structure of hard gypsum and limestone rocks.

The accumulated experience was also of vital importance in developing the "Galkynysh" gas field, which ranks among the largest in the world according to international classification. This field is among the complex facilities in terms of its geological structure and development conditions.

The main outcome created over two decades is not a set of isolated facilities, but the formation of an interconnected production system. Within the framework of the "South Yolotan" project, as well as the "Osman" and "Minara" fields later incorporated into the "Galkynysh" gas field, commercial gas preparation capacities, gas collection and transportation systems, external gas pipelines, and water supply facilities were established.

A crucial milestone in the cooperation was the conclusion in December 2009 of an EPC contract between CNPC and the State Concern "Türkmengaz" to implement a turnkey project with a capacity of 10 billion cubic meters of commercial gas per year.

The project included 22 gas wells, internal gas collection and transportation systems, a gas processing plant, water intake facilities, and an external gas pipeline 110 kilometers long. In 2013–2014, all these capacities were commissioned.

Gas processing infrastructure was also developed on the right bank of the Amu Darya River. Two plants in the "Bagtyyarlyk" contractual territory became an important part of the gas preparation system for the "Turkmenistan–China" trunk pipeline.

CNPC also acted as the general contractor for the project to create production capacities at the "Galkynysh" gas field designed to produce 30 billion cubic meters of gas per year.

Turkmenistan–China Gas Pipeline: From Resource to Market

Lines A, B, and C of the Turkmenistan–China gas pipeline have operated stably since their commissioning, serving as a vital system connecting Turkmenistan’s gas resources, production and processing capacities, transport infrastructure, and the final market.

By April 2026, the total volume of Turkmen gas transported through this corridor exceeded 430 billion cubic meters. This figure demonstrates the scale and long-term nature of the energy cooperation between Turkmenistan and China.

The further development of the "Galkynysh" gas field is important not only from the perspective of increasing gas production, but also to ensure the long-term stability of the already established export infrastructure.

One of the distinguishing features of the current stage compared to previous periods is the financing of projects. While in 2009 the financing of the project involved credit funds from the China Development Bank amounting to about 8.1 billion dollars, Phase IV of the "Galkynysh" gas field is implemented using Turkmenistan's own funds.

Phase IV of the Galkynysh Gas Field — A New Technological Stage

On April 17, 2026, the official launch of Phase IV of the development of the "Galkynysh" gas field took place in the Mary velayat.

The project provides for the construction of production wells and the creation of a gas preparation complex with a capacity of 10 billion cubic meters of commercial gas per year.

As noted by CNPC Chairman Dai Houliang, Phase IV is viewed as one of the exemplary projects where advanced technologies, efficient management solutions, and environmental approaches will be applied.

From this perspective, the project puts forward new technological requirements in areas such as drilling gas wells and extracting gas, preparing and transporting it. At the same time, this project serves as an important platform for exchanging experience and knowledge.

At the new stage of cooperation, areas such as the digitalization of production processes, increasing gas extraction efficiency, improving gas processing, reducing environmental impact, and developing engineering professions acquire special significance.

Furthermore, the scope of the partnership is expanding beyond production into education and training. The education of Turkmen students in China's leading higher education institutions and their professional training are an important part of cooperation in this area.

CNPC's Role at OGT 2026

Energy cooperation between Turkmenistan and China is coupled with the development of relations in other spheres. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Turkmenistan Ji Shumin noted at an event marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the PRC that the two countries' cooperation is expanding beyond the energy sector.

It was reported that this year, the Turkmen side, for the first time on a trial basis, planted high-yielding cotton varieties created in China and is expecting a good harvest. Relations are also developing in transport, science and technology, education, healthcare, the cultural and humanitarian sphere, and interregional cooperation.

According to CNPC Chairman Dai Houliang, the corporation is ready to deepen cooperation with Turkmenistan in the gas industry, engineering technologies, and equipment manufacturing, as well as to advance key joint projects.

CNPC's role as a Platinum Partner of the XXXI International Conference and Exhibition "Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan — 2026" (OGT 2026), to be held in Ashgabat on October 21–23, 2026, vividly demonstrates the scale of accumulated experience and the significance of cooperation in the energy sector.

The agenda of OGT 2026 includes areas such as the development of the "Galkynysh" gas field, the expansion of gas pipeline infrastructure, gas processing and petrochemistry, production digitalization, reduction of methane emissions, investments, and new energy technologies.

At the new stage of energy cooperation between Turkmenistan and China, alongside resource and supply volumes, aspects such as the quality of engineering solutions, specialist training, digitalization, and the modernization of production capacities are acquiring increasingly important significance.