KazMunayGas opens KMG Drilling and Services branch in Turkmenistan

ASTANA. Oct 10 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan's KazMunayGas (KMG) has opened a branch of its subsidiary, KMG Drilling and Services (KMG DS), in Turkmenistan to begin drilling operations at the Cheleken field in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea.

KMG said in a press release that the launch of the Turkmen branch of KMG Drilling and Services, which operates the Satti floating jack-up rig, would facilitate operations in Turkmenistan.

"This marks a significant step in Kazakhstan's expansion in the international oil service market while strengthening bilateral cooperation between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan," KMG said.

The Satti rig, the first of its kind built in Kazakhstan, is equipped with advanced technologies to handle challenging marine drilling conditions. After modification in 2021, its lifting capacity increased from 453 to 680 tonnes, allowing it to drill wells up to 6,000 meters deep.

KMG DS signed a contract with Dragon Oil Turkmenistan Limited for drilling operations in the region in August 2023.

Founded in 2008, KMG Drilling & Services is a leading provider of drilling services in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea and is a subsidiary of KazMunayGas. KazMunayGas serves as Kazakhstan's national operator for the exploration, production, refining, and transportation of hydrocarbons. Dragon Oil Turkmenistan Ltd, a subsidiary of Dragon Oil (UAE), is engaged in hydrocarbon exploration and production in the Cheleken area of the Caspian Sea and is owned by Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC).