Kazakhstan weighs entry into Turkmenistan’s flagship gas projects

Kazakhstan is considering deeper involvement in major gas projects in Turkmenistan, signalling interest in both upstream development and cross-border export infrastructure as the region searches for new energy routes and partnerships.

According to Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry, the national gas company QazaqGaz remains in negotiations with Turkmenistan’s state energy group Turkmengaz over potential participation in the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline, commonly known as TAPI.

The talks also cover possible cooperation on the development of the Galkynysh gas field, one of the largest natural gas reserves in the world. Officials say the discussions are confidential, underlining the sensitivity of both projects.

Kazakhstan’s interest in TAPI is not new. The country has previously indicated it is exploring the option of joining the project’s shareholder structure.

Energy Minister Yerlan Akkhenzhenov has confirmed that Kazakhstan is prepared to acquire up to a 30% stake in the pipeline.

QazaqGaz has already submitted its proposal and is now awaiting a response from the Turkmen side. The scale of the Galkynysh field, however, means any decision-making process is likely to be gradual, involving long-term commitments and complex negotiations.

The TAPI pipeline is designed to stretch 1814 kilometres from Turkmenistan to the Indian border, transporting up to 33 billion cubic metres of gas a year through Afghanistan and Pakistan to South Asia.

The project’s total cost is estimated at around $10 billion. At present, only the Turkmen section has been completed. Authorities in Ashgabat announced last year that construction had begun on Afghan territory, although progress beyond Turkmenistan remains limited.

Despite its strategic significance, the project continues to face unresolved challenges. Security risks linked to gas transit through Afghanistan remain a central concern for potential investors.

At the same time, uncertainty over gas pricing and long-term commercial terms has yet to be fully addressed, complicating efforts to attract additional partners.

Currently, Turkmengaz holds an 85% stake in the TAPI project. The remaining 15% is divided equally between Afghanistan’s Gas Corporation, Pakistan’s Inter State Gas Systems and India’s GAIL, each holding 5%.

The pipeline was officially launched in December 2015 during a ceremony attended by the leaders of all four participating countries, yet tangible progress has remained limited since then.

For Kazakhstan, potential involvement in TAPI and the Galkynysh field would represent a strategic move towards diversification of gas cooperation and access to South Asian markets.

However, as negotiations continue behind closed doors, the project remains a long-term regional ambition rather than an imminent breakthrough in Eurasian energy connectivity.

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