ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 23. Chairman of the
Management Board of KazMunayGas (KMG), Askhat Khassenov, and
Chairman of Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), Cem Erdem,
discussed prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation in
geological exploration and hydrocarbon production, Trend reports.
The parties examined potential avenues for enhancing cooperation
in geological exploration, hydrocarbon production, and the
attraction of investments.
Moreover, it was further highlighted that, since the signing of
a confidentiality agreement in June 2025, KMG and TPAO have been
actively exchanging information and collaboratively exploring
potential projects in Kazakhstan and Türkiye. As part of this
initiative, technical sessions have been conducted for TPAO
specialists, and they have been granted access to geological data
about promising exploration blocks in Kazakhstan.
Following their assessment, the Turkish side expressed
particular interest in the offshore Big Zhambyl project in the
North Caspian Sea. TPAO is currently undertaking a comprehensive
technical and economic evaluation of the project.
Khassenov reaffirmed KMG’s full readiness to transition to the
practical implementation phase of the project.
TPAO was established in 1954 as an integrated state-owned oil
company engaged in hydrocarbon exploration, production, refining,
and marketing. TPAO is one of Türkiye’s key state energy companies
and is implementing an extensive program to increase hydrocarbon
output, particularly in the Black Sea and eastern regions of the
country. In addition to its domestic operations, TPAO is involved
in oil and gas exploration and production projects in Azerbaijan,
Algeria, and offshore areas near Northern Cyprus. The company also
operates its own fleet of seismic survey and drilling vessels.
