The results of the work of the oil and gas complex of Turkmenistan in the past year and priority tasks in 2021 were discussed during a working meeting, that President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held on February 2 via digital video communication tool with the participation of some Vice-Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, as well as heads of specialized structures.

 During the meeting, the President emphasized that, in accordance with the energy strategy, the oil and gas segment of the national economy has been developing progressively, new fields discovered and commissioned, new enterprises for the production of oil and gas products built, and international projects implemented.

 The head of the state emphasized the importance of ensuring the efficient organization of the industry in the current conditions, maintaining the growth rates of oil production and fulfilling program obligations for the current year.

 During the meeting, reports on the work done were made by the State Minister – Chairman of the State Concern «Turkmengas» Batyr Amanov;  Chairman of the State Concern «Turkmennebit» Guichgeldi Baygeldiev;  Chairman of the State Corporation «Turkmengeology» Merdan Rozyev; Director General of the Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries Dovran Chishiev.

 Vice-Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Myratgeldi Meredov reported on the fulfillment of the instructions of the head of the state for the development of the oil and gas complex, the introduction of the latest achievements of science and advanced technologies in the fuel and energy complex, attracting foreign investments, increasing the production of natural gas and oil, and the production of products obtained as a result of their processing.

 Summing up the results of 2020, the President drew attention to the fact that the volumes of oil production have decreased, including under the Production Sharing Agreements, instructing to take measures to improve these indicators, overhaul and reconstruction of oil and gas wells.

 The Turkmen leader also instructed to accelerate geological exploration, take measures to increase the volume of discovered and proven oil and other resources.  Efforts must be made to attract direct and indirect foreign investment in the oil refining and gas chemical industries.

 The head of the state emphasized the importance of developing new markets for the sale of petroleum products and petrochemical products, as well as promising gas export routes.

 Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also announced the need to use the design capacity of the Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries at the expense of crude oil produced under the Production Sharing Agreements.  In this regard, it is necessary to resolve on an acceptable basis the issues of purchasing oil at market prices and processing it under economically favorable conditions, as well as exporting produced oil products and obtaining additional profit from them.

 The President also demanded the Vice-Chairman to carry out work to reduce the cost of extracting and processing hydrocarbons and the cost of production.

 It was instructed to take measures to open, taking into account international experience, an electronic platform for holding tenders for the purchase of goods, works and services in the oil and gas industry.

 The head of Turkmenistan instructed to analyze the reasons for the decline in natural gas production by foreign companies operating in the country in accordance with production sharing agreements, and promptly take measures to restore stable production rates.

 Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also mentioned that the level of training for the oil and gas industry remains low, and this situation cannot be tolerated.

 For improper performance of official duties, shortcomings in work, the President issued severe reprimands to the Vice-Chairman in charge of the fuel and energy complex, as well as to the heads of the State Concern «Turkmengas» and the State Concern «Turkmennebit», State Corporation «Turkmengeology» and Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries.

 Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave specific instructions on increasing crude oil production through the use of advanced technologies, uninterrupted supply of raw materials to the TCOR, bringing production facilities to full capacity, increasing the depth of hydrocarbon processing and improving the quality of petrochemical products.

 The head of the state instructed to prepare specific proposals to improve the material and technical support of oil and gas producing enterprises and geological exploration expeditions, as well as to attract foreign investment in new projects.