In early 2026, the Chinese petroleum corporation CNPC will begin the fourth phase of commercial development of the giant Galkynysh gas field in Turkmenistan. This project will further unlock the resource potential of this unique underground resource and, overall, enhance Turkmenistan's energy capabilities.

As reported at the international conference "Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan – 2025," seven phases of commercial development of the Galkynysh field are planned. The first phase, which included the construction of three gas processing plants with a total capacity of 30 billion cubic meters of gas per year, is now operating successfully.

The fourth phase of the Galkynysh field development project will be implemented by CNPC, which won the relevant international tender. Implementation of this phase of industrial development will begin early next year and will be financed entirely by Turkmenistan's own funds, the conference noted.

The successful phased development of this gigantic field allows Turkmenistan to ensure reliable supplies of natural gas both domestically and to international markets. Currently, China remains the largest buyer of Turkmen natural gas. Three lines (A, B, and C) of the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline system deliver approximately 40 billion cubic meters of gas annually.

After the commissioning of the fourth line (Line D), volumes are planned to increase to approximately 65 billion cubic meters of gas per year, significantly strengthening the stability of supplies to one of the world's most dynamically developing energy markets.

At the same time, diversification of export routes remains the cornerstone of Turkmenistan's gas policy. The Galkynysh field has been designated as the resource base for the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, currently under construction, with a capacity of 33 billion cubic meters of gas per year.

At the international conference "Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan – 2025" in Ashgabat, Irina Luryeva, head of the laboratory at the Natural Gas Research Institute of the State Concern Turkmengas, spoke about the prospects for developing the Galkynysh field.

The field is being developed according to a phased development strategy, which includes seven development stages. Pilot production is currently underway as part of the first stage. There are 52 operating production wells, and seven more are being prepared for connection. Eight wells are actively drilling. – sentences highlighted in red should be deleted.

As noted, the average design well flow rate is 1.5 million cubic meters per day, and the reservoir's potential allows for a sustained flow rate of up to 2 million cubic meters per day over an extended period. Specifically, three wells were commissioned in 2022, capable of stable production at a maximum flow rate of 3 million cubic meters per day. According to forecasts prepared jointly with Gaffney Cline experts, the period of continuous gas extraction at each stage will be over 30 years.

The second, third, and fourth stages of field development are planned for the near future. Gas extraction rates will gradually increase, and the phased development strategy allows for optimal investment allocation, taking into account the operating experience of existing wells.

Upon full development of all stages, the field's gross annual production could reach almost 200 billion cubic meters of natural gas.

As previously reported, the Galkynysh field is one of the largest in the world in terms of gas reserves. The independent British company Gafney, Cline & Associates estimates the reserves of this field, together with the neighboring fields Garakol and Yashlar, at 27.4 trillion cubic meters of natural gas.