PETRONAS, through its wholly owned subsidiary PETRONAS Carigali (Turkmenistan) Sdn Bhd (PC(T)SB), on Wednesday marked 30 years of operations in Turkmenistan by signing a series of agreements aimed at expanding its upstream activities in the country.
The agreements were signed during Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit to Turkmenistan, underscoring the longstanding bilateral relationship between the two countries and three decades of cooperation in the energy sector.
PC(T)SB signed a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with state concern Turkmennebit and state enterprise Hazarnebit covering Offshore Block 19 and Block 20.
It also signed a Cooperation Agreement with Turkmennebit covering 2D seismic studies for northern offshore blocks.
Under the PSA, PC(T)SB will acquire a 100% participating interest in Block 19 and Block 20, marking PETRONAS’ entry into new exploration acreage in Turkmenistan.
The Cooperation Agreement provides for the acquisition of new seismic data to address existing data gaps and support further evaluation of the northern offshore blocks.
The PSA was signed by PETRONAS Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Upstream, Mohd Jukris Abdul Wahab, on behalf of PC(T)SB, together with Turkmennebit Chairman Guvanch Agajanov and Hazarnebit Director Esetov Amanmuhammet.
Jukris Abdul Wahab and Agajanov signed the Cooperation Agreement.
Separately, Malaysia and Turkmenistan signed a Framework Agreement on Long-Term Cooperation for the Development of Hydrocarbon Resources of Turkmenistan.
The agreement was signed by Malaysian Minister of Economy Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir and Agajanov, in his capacity as Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan.
The framework provides a basis for exploring broader cooperation, including the potential development of the Galkynysh gas field and opportunities in downstream sectors such as oil refining, gas processing and gas chemicals.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Anwar and Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
“For three decades, PETRONAS and Turkmenistan have built a partnership defined by trust, shared ambition and a commitment to creating long-term value,” Jukris said.
“Today’s agreements reflect our confidence in the continued potential of Turkmenistan’s energy sector and our belief in what can be achieved through enduring partnerships anchored in mutual respect and technical collaboration,” he said.
Jukris also thanked Anwar, Berdimuhamedov and former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for their support for PETRONAS’ operations in the country.
“As we enter this new chapter, PETRONAS remains committed to working alongside our partners to responsibly develop resources, strengthen energy resilience and create sustainable value for all stakeholders, wherever we operate,” he said.
As part of the anniversary, PETRONAS and Turkmennebit co-hosted a forum and exhibition on 30 years of cooperation in the oil and gas sector, attended by more than 500 participants from government agencies, local industry, Malaysian companies operating in Turkmenistan and the wider energy sector.
The forum focused on emerging opportunities, industry trends and the future of energy development in Turkmenistan. A two-day exhibition highlighted PETRONAS’ activities in the country since 1996, including investments in local capability development.
PETRONAS said it has trained 235 local technicians and provided scholarships to 188 Turkmen students to study at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS and PETRONAS technical training facilities in Malaysia.
The company has also supported community development projects, including the renovation of schools in Kiyanly.
More than 1,000 Turkmen nationals have been employed by PETRONAS in the country over the past three decades, with local employees accounting for nearly 90% of PC(T)SB’s workforce, the company said.
PETRONAS said it would continue to work with Turkmenistan on energy security, resource development and bilateral economic cooperation.
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