Kazakhstan is stepping up dialogue with its key international partners in the oil and gas sector. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting with Peter Larden, Senior Vice President of ExxonMobil, to discuss cooperation on the country’s flagship projects – Tengiz, Kashagan and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), DKNews.kz reports.
The talks went beyond routine coordination. Alongside future plans, the sides focused on current risks and challenges, with particular attention paid to the situation at the Tengiz field.
Tengiz under scrutiny: government expects swift action
Prime Minister Bektenov expressed concern over the situation at Tengiz, stressing the need for accelerated efforts to eliminate the consequences of the recent incident as quickly as possible. He also underlined the importance of taking systemic measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
For Kazakhstan, Tengiz is not just a major oil field but a cornerstone of export revenues and budget income. Any disruption there has a direct impact on the economy, which is why the government is placing strong emphasis on safety, reliability and operational discipline.
Caspian Pipeline Consortium: stability remains a priority
The meeting also addressed the situation around the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. Both sides confirmed their shared interest in ensuring the stable and uninterrupted operation of this strategically important infrastructure facility.
CPC remains the main export route for Kazakh oil to global markets. Maintaining its reliability is therefore critical for the country’s energy security and for fulfilling international supply commitments.
Focus on efficiency and geological exploration
Beyond immediate issues, the discussion covered longer-term priorities, including measures to further improve the efficiency of hydrocarbon field development. Special attention was given to the development of geological exploration.
These areas directly align with the tasks set by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the fifth meeting of the National Kurultai, where he emphasized the need to strengthen the resource base, modernize the sector and ensure its long-term sustainability.
Production results and key figures
The participants also reviewed production indicators for the current year. In 2025, oil output at the Tengiz field exceeded 39 million tonnes following the completion of the Future Growth Project. At Kashagan, production surpassed 18 million tonnes.
Total shipments of energy resources via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium reached 70.5 million tonnes, of which 63.8 million tonnes were Kazakh oil.
The broader message
Overall, the meeting sent a clear signal: Kazakhstan expects its strategic partners not only to deliver production volumes and investment, but also to uphold high standards of safety, responsibility and operational stability.
Against the backdrop of global volatility and geopolitical uncertainty, ensuring the predictable and secure operation of major oil and gas projects remains a top priority for the government – and a key topic in its dialogue with international investors.
