Turkmenistan and Malaysia Sign New Energy Cooperation Deals

At the high-level international scientific and practical conference titled “Turkmenistan–Malaysia: 30 Years of Mutually Beneficial Cooperation in the Oil and Gas Industry”, held in Ashgabat on Friday, a series of agreements aimed at expanding energy cooperation were signed in the presence of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, according to Turkmen state media.

Among the signed documents were a production sharing agreement between the state concern Turkmennebit, PETRONAS Charigali (Turkmenistan) Sdn. Bhd. and the state enterprise Hazarnebit; a cooperation agreement on 2D seismic surveys; as well as an Agreement between the state concern Turkmengaz and PETRONAS Charigali International Ventures Sdn. Bhd. The governments of Turkmenistan and Malaysia also signed a framework agreement on long-term cooperation in the development of hydrocarbon resources.

Speaking at the conference, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said this year marks 30 years of cooperation between Turkmenistan and Malaysia in the oil and gas sector, noting that PETRONAS has invested nearly $12 billion in Turkmenistan’s energy industry.

During the partnership, five offshore platforms have been constructed in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea and around 40 exploration, appraisal, and development wells have been drilled. He added that the Magtymguly, Diyarbekir, and Garagol Deniz fields are currently being developed, while the Owez and Mashrykow fields are planned for future industrial development.

The head of state also stated that joint work will begin on the development of offshore blocks 19 and 20 in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea with PETRONAS, while 2D seismic surveys will be carried out in blocks 11, 12, 13, and 14.

In his remarks, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said, the oil and gas sector remains one of the key pillars of bilateral cooperation, adding that the signed documents mark the beginning of a new stage in relations. He noted that PETRONAS has maintained effective cooperation with Turkmenistan over the past 30 years and that joint projects play an important role in energy ties between the two countries.

The conference concluded with both sides reaffirming the long-term nature of their energy partnership and expressing readiness to continue joint efforts to implement new projects.