Kazakhstan, Gazprom discuss development, modernization of gas transport infrastructure

ASTANA. Oct 9 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry, national company QazaqGaz and Russia's Gazprom discussed strategic cooperation in the gas sector at the third meeting of the Joint Coordination Council in Bishkek, the ministry's press service said.

"The sides reviewed what the joint working groups had done in 2026 and discussed further cooperation, including developing and modernizing gas transport infrastructure, improving gas supply reliability, strengthening underground gas storage and expanding the use of natural gas as motor fuel and in industry, as well as scientific and technical cooperation," the press release said.

They paid special attention to building up gas transport capacity to supply northern Kazakhstan and Astana.

"Both sides stressed the importance of following through on earlier agreements and continuing joint work in priority areas," the statement said.

Following the meeting, Gazprom Kyrgyzstan and QazaqGaz signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation. The documents are meant to lock in the results of joint work and further develop gas sector cooperation.

Kazakhstan was represented at the meeting by Deputy Energy Minister Kaiyrkhan Tutkyshbayev, and Russia by Vitaly Markelov, Gazprom's deputy chairman of the management board and head of a department. Representatives of relevant organizations from both countries also took part, along with QazaqGaz and Gazprom management.

In June, QazaqGaz and Gazprom Export signed an agreement on additional Russian gas supplies to Kazakhstan in 2026. QazaqGaz will purchase 6 billion cubic meters of gas at a fixed price paid in rubles.

Gazprom supplies consumers in the West Kazakhstan, Kostanay and Aktobe regions, with deliveries increasing in line with the republic's growing needs. Plans are underway to gasify the northern regions of Kazakhstan.

Gazprom signed contracts with Kazakhstan in summer 2024 for gas transit to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in 2025-2040. The plan calls for expanding a dedicated route on the Central Asia-Center gas pipeline system, along with other projects to build up gas transport capacity in Kazakhstan.

QazaqGaz, a subsidiary of Sovereign Wealth Fund Samruk-Kazyna, manages Kazakhstan's gas pipeline network, oversees domestic and international gas sales, and develops gas transportation and storage infrastructure.