Elvira Kadyrova
Mary Province, YOLOTEN, 17 April 2026 — Mary Province hosted a solemn ceremony to launch the fourth stage of development at Galkynysh, the world’s largest onshore gas field. This project, which holds strategic importance for the regional energy sector, has now entered its active implementation phase.
The event was attended by the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, alongside Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, who arrived in Turkmenistan on behalf of President Xi Jinping.
The official proceedings took place in a specially constructed pavilion equipped with modern communication facilities. Via video link, a representative of the technical staff requested the National Leader’s blessing to commence construction works.
Following the blessing from Arkadag Berdimuhamedov, production processes began at the field sites. A live broadcast from the construction area captured the start of drilling operations: heavy machinery and specialized vehicles appeared on screen. A piston was lowered into the casing, marking the physical start of drilling.
The event culminated in a foundation-laying ceremony for a future infrastructure facility.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Ding Xuexiang placed a commemorative capsule containing a message to future generations into the foundation, and the first batches of concrete were poured.
Under this project, the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) will construct facilities on a turnkey basis capable of processing 10 billion cubic meters of commercial gas per year, along with the necessary number of production wells.
Current Status of the Galkynysh Field
The Galkynysh field is located in the Mary Province near Yoloten town. It integrates a group of massive gas deposits, including South Yoloten–Osman, Minara, Yashlar, Garakel, and adjacent structures.
According to estimates by the British consulting firm ‘Gaffney, Cline & Associates’, the combined reserves of Galkynysh, Yashlar, and Garakel total 27.4 trillion cubic meters of gas, making it one of the largest gas fields on the planet.
Currently, the field is undergoing pilot-industrial operation for Phase 1, which began in 2013.
The current well stock stands at 53 units, with 7 wells awaiting connection and 8 wells actively being drilled.
The average design flow rate of a single well is 1.5 million cubic meters of gas per day. However, the potential of the reservoir allows for long-term operation at even higher flow rates.
In 2022, three wells were commissioned with design flow rates of up to 3 million cubic meters per day.
A total of seven development stages are planned. The second, third, and fourth stages aim to sequentially increase gas production volumes.
Joint forecasts of Natural Gas Research Institute of the State Concern “Turkmengas” with Gaffney, Cline & Associates suggest that the stable production period (plateau) for each stage will exceed 30 years.
In the long term, annual production at the field is projected to reach nearly 200 billion cubic meters.
Galkynysh: A Resource Base for Transnational Pipelines
Gas from the Galkynysh field already feeds into the Turkmenistan–China transnational pipeline.
According to previous statements by the Government of Turkmenistan:
• Phase 2 of Galkynysh will increase supplies to China via the planned fourth line (Line D) of the Central Asia–China pipeline. Total gas exports from Turkmenistan to the Celestial Empire will reach 65 billion cubic meters per year—an increase of 25 billion.
• Phase 3 is designated as the source for the planned Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) international pipeline, providing a volume of 33 billion cubic meters per year.
///nCa, 17 April 2026
Speech by the National Leader of the Turkmen People at the ceremony launching the fourth phase of Galkynysh gas field development
Dear friends! Distinguished guests! Ladies and gentlemen!
Today, every day in our country is marked by truly glorious events, and today we are launching another large-scale and vital undertaking for the steady development of the domestic gas industry — the fourth phase of the industrial development of the Galkynysh gas field.
Currently, under the leadership of the esteemed President, the national economy is developing at an accelerated pace; a similar dynamic is observed in the process of introducing innovations into economic sectors. Programs adopted for the creation of modern industrial facilities are also being successfully implemented. The reforms carried out in this field open up significant prospects for expanding mutually beneficial dialogue with foreign partners, particularly regarding the effective and fundamental transformation of the oil and gas complex.
We pay special attention to increasing international cooperation in the fuel and energy sector. In this regard, significant investments are being made in this industry, directed toward its consistent development and the equipping of relevant enterprises. The funds we allocate are also designed to ensure the successful execution of geological exploration and drilling operations, as well as the industrial development of new oil and gas fields.
Dear friends! Distinguished guests!
Our country regularly puts forward constructive proposals to ensure the uninterrupted supply of natural gas to energy markets. We also launch initiatives that benefit all parties involved, aimed at significantly expanding international trade and economic ties, protecting the environment, and transitioning to clean energy.
The colossal hydrocarbon resources of our sovereign Motherland are being used effectively for the benefit of both our people and the global community. This approach allows us to significantly strengthen the economic power of the Turkmen state and steadily improve the well-being of our citizens.
Furthermore, the implementation of major investment projects continues to facilitate the expansion of mutually beneficial international cooperation.
Dear compatriots! Distinguished friends!
The People’s Republic of China was among the first nations to establish diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan following our independence. Our country attaches immense importance to strengthening and expanding our bilateral dialogue with China. Our recent friendly visit to the People’s Republic of China was a significant milestone in solidifying the Turkmen-Chinese partnership; it featured a series of constructive meetings and the conclusion of several key agreements. During that visit, we held specific negotiations regarding cooperation in the oil and gas sector, particularly concerning the fourth phase of the Galkynysh gas field development.
The measures implemented alongside the People’s Republic of China are of particular importance to our bilateral relations and economic partnership. The large-scale projects we are undertaking together serve as visible evidence of both nations’ confidence in the future, driven by a commitment to close, long-term collaboration. I would like to emphasize that there are vast prospects for further increasing our state-to-state cooperation. The effective implementation of these opportunities fully serves the interests of both countries and supports the broader development goals of Central Asia. It is from this perspective that our country views China as a strategic partner, especially within the oil and gas sector.
This framework of cooperation, which has evolved successfully and constructively in recent years, is a primary factor in strengthening mutually beneficial Turkmen-Chinese relations. A landmark event in this journey was the 2009 commissioning of the Turkmenistan–China transnational gas pipeline. Today, Turkmen natural gas has been supplied through this artery for nearly seventeen years, contributing significantly to the economic development of our friendly neighbor.
Dear friends!
Boosting export potential through diversification and establishing an extensive pipeline network are among our top priorities. In this context, the Galkynysh gas field — one of the world’s largest natural gas reserves — is of particular significance. This field plays a vital role in the successful implementation of Turkmenistan’s energy strategy and in strengthening our export-oriented resource base. Located in the south of Mary Velayat, Galkynysh stands as the most significant discovery by Turkmen geologists during the years of independence. We began its comprehensive development in December 2009.
In 2013, with the esteemed participation of the President of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Xi Jinping, we held the grand opening of a gas processing complex at the Galkynysh field. Today, as part of the fourth phase of its development, we are launching the construction of a facility capable of processing 10 billion cubic meters of sales gas per year, along with the production wells necessary to extract that same volume. The facility will be built by the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), acting as the general contractor for the “Türkmengaz” State Concern.
The implementation of such a landmark project covers the full production cycle: from the drilling of gas wells to the construction of gathering, treatment, and processing units, as well as pipelines, external utility networks, and residential and public infrastructure. Upon completion, the project will create 1,041 new jobs.
These new facilities will significantly increase the volume of “blue fuel” exported abroad. This, in turn, will create favorable conditions for the further development of our state and a substantial rise in the standard of living for our citizens.
We remain committed to providing consistent support to our foreign partners in their activities within our country and will continue to take measures to broaden our cooperation.
Dear friends! Distinguished guests!
I would like to sincerely congratulate you on the launch of the fourth phase of the industrial development of the Galkynysh gas field during this year, declared “Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – Homeland of Purposeful Heavenly Horses.”
I wish you all strong health, family well-being, and great success in your endeavors!
///TDH, 17 April 2026.
New gas field project to further boost China-Turkmenistan energy cooperation: Chinese vice premier
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s special representative Ding Xuexiang said here Friday that the smooth commencement of the fourth phase of the Galkynysh gas field will further elevate energy cooperation between China and Turkmenistan to a new level.
Ding, also Chinese vice premier and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when attending the groundbreaking ceremony of the fourth phase of the gas field with National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
In his address, Ding said that under the strategic guidance of the two countries’ top leaders, China-Turkmenistan natural gas cooperation has yielded fruitful results, strongly supporting the economic and social development of both countries and benefiting their people.
He noted that the smooth commencement of the project is a significant achievement in deepening comprehensive cooperation between China and Turkmenistan, and opens a new chapter in bilateral natural gas collaboration.
Ding said the project carries the earnest expectations of the top leaders of both countries and embodies the shared aspirations of the two peoples. He expressed the hope that relevant authorities and enterprises of both sides will make meticulous arrangements, carry out construction in a scientific manner, and advance the project in a solid and orderly way.
Ding put forward a three-point proposal.
First, both sides should prioritize quality and build the project into a premium one by promoting craftsmanship and advancing construction to high standards, thus striving to deliver a first-class project that can stand the test of time.
Second, both sides should pursue innovation-driven development and make the project a benchmark by promoting innovations in project management, technology and cooperation models, so as to provide experience and demonstration for major natural gas projects.
Third, both sides should adhere to win-win cooperation and make the project a symbol of friendship by strengthening technical exchanges and personnel training, ensuring that the outcomes of cooperation better benefit the two peoples and contribute to China-Turkmenistan friendship.
He noted that China is ready to work with Turkmenistan to take major projects such as the fourth phase of the Galkynysh gas field as a new starting point to deepen practical cooperation across various fields, promote common development and regional prosperity, and jointly build a closer China-Turkmenistan community with a shared future.
Ding and Berdimuhamedov jointly initiated drilling operations via video link and held a foundation-laying ceremony. They also visited an exhibition of oil and gas equipment. /// Xinhua, 18 Apr
Here some photos from the event:
