Kazakhstan’s national oil company KazMunayGas (KMG) is strengthening its dialogue with one of the world’s largest energy corporations. In Astana, KMG Chairman of the Management Board Askhat Khasenov met with Peter Larden, Senior Vice President of ExxonMobil, to discuss prospects for cooperation in several strategically important areas, DKNews.kz reports.
The talks focused on geological exploration, oil transportation and the introduction of innovative technologies in production — all key issues for the long-term development of Kazakhstan’s oil and gas sector.
Geological exploration as a priority
One of the central topics of the meeting was cooperation in geological exploration. Under a confidentiality agreement signed between the companies, ExxonMobil is currently conducting a detailed assessment of promising exploration blocks in Kazakhstan.
For KazMunayGas, this work is closely linked to its strategy of replenishing the country’s resource base. New discoveries are becoming increasingly complex and capital-intensive, which makes international expertise especially valuable.
Askhat Khasenov подчеркнул, что глубокая экспертиза в области разведки и добычи играет ключевую роль при оценке потенциала недр. По его словам, именно такие партнеры, как ExxonMobil, позволяют принимать взвешенные решения по освоению перспективных активов.
A strategic partnership, not a one-off project
KazMunayGas views ExxonMobil as a reliable and strategic partner for future projects in Kazakhstan. The companies already cooperate across several core areas, and the Astana meeting reaffirmed their intention to further strengthen this relationship.
According to Khasenov, cooperation between KMG and ExxonMobil is progressing productively, and there is confidence that the partnership will continue to expand on a mutually beneficial basis.
Oil exports and alternative routes
Another important issue discussed during the meeting was the development of additional export routes for Kazakh oil. In a changing global environment, diversification of transportation corridors has become a strategic task for Kazakhstan.
Engaging ExxonMobil in discussions on export infrastructure highlights KMG’s broader approach to energy security — combining upstream development with reliable and flexible logistics solutions.
Focus on new technologies
The meeting also addressed practical next steps under the agreement on cooperation in new technologies in the oil and gas sector, signed by KazMunayGas and ExxonMobil in 2025.
This cooperation is expected to focus on innovative solutions that can improve production efficiency, optimize costs and support the development of more complex fields. As geological conditions become more challenging, technology is increasingly seen as a key driver of competitiveness in the industry.
Why the meeting matters
The Astana talks underline KazMunayGas’s strategy of working closely with global energy leaders to ensure sustainable development of Kazakhstan’s oil and gas sector. Geological exploration, export diversification and technological innovation are three pillars that will define the industry’s future.
If the initiatives discussed move forward into concrete projects, the partnership with ExxonMobil could play an important role in strengthening Kazakhstan’s position on the global energy map and securing long-term growth for the sector.
