Industrial development of Central Urikhtau field in Kazakhstan scheduled for 2026 - KMG
ASTANA. June 25 (Interfax) - The industrial development of the Central Urikhtau gas condensate field in Kazakhstan is scheduled to begin in 2026, the press service for the national company KazMunayGas (KMG) said.
During a working trip to the Aktobe region on Wednesday, KMG Management Board Chairman Askat Khasenov held a meeting on the operations of Urikhtau Operating LLP (a 100% subsidiary of KMG), the press service said.
"Testing is underway at two gas wells at the Central Urikhtau field to determine the physicochemical properties and gas composition for making further technological decisions in cooperation with JSC CNPC-Aktobemunaigas. Additionally, five oil wells are planned for development. The industrial development of the Central Urikhtau field is scheduled for 2026, with gradual annual gas production increasing to reach its potential of 1 billion cubic meters per year," the press service said following the meeting.
In addition, two production wells will be completed at the Eastern Urikhtau field in 2025, which will increase oil and gas production.
According to KMG, the company produced 38,200 tonnes of oil in 5M 2025, exceeding the plan by 9%, while gas production reached 32.1 million cubic meters, 42% above target. The forecasted production for the current year is up to 94,000 tonnes of oil and 78 million cubic meters of gas.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Khasenov gave instructions to accelerate all planned activities for the Urikhtau field, emphasizing its role in gas sector development and its social importance for the Aktobe region and other parts of the country.
As reported, the Central Urikhtau field is expected to produce approximately 1 billion cubic meters of gas annually.
KMG's press service previously said that the Zhanazhol Gas Processing Plant (GPP, operated by CNPC-Aktobemunaigas) will begin receiving raw gas from the Urikhtau field in Q4 2026. Design documentation for the field's development is being prepared concurrently with gas well testing to analyze gas composition and determine optimal processing methods, it said.
In July 2024, KMG and China's CNPC signed a framework agreement during the seventh Kazakhstan-China Business Council meeting to deepen strategic cooperation in the oil and gas sector, including studying potential processing of Central Urikhtau hydrocarbons at the Zhanazhol oil and gas processing complex.
On June 16, 2025, field operator Urikhtau Operating LLP and CNPC signed an agreement to enhance cooperation on the Urikhtau project, agreeing to process extracted gas at the Zhanazhol GPP, with preliminary project investment estimated at $138 million.
JSC KazMunayGas is Kazakhstan's national operator for exploration, production, processing and transportation of hydrocarbons. The company represents the state interests in the oil and gas sector.
