On the wilderness of Kazakhstan, the searchlight of the drilling platform pierces through the night, and the wind is filled with a thirst for oil and gas in the salt bearing formations. When Sinopec and CNOOC put their exploration flags on the Berezovsky and Rileioi blocks, the strokes of China Kazakhstan energy cooperation have shifted from the deep description of mature oil fields to the ink of deep exploration.

Tackling deep structures

New achievements have been added to Central Asian energy cooperation! Recently, KMG, the national oil and gas company of Kazakhstan, has conducted high-level communication with Sinopec and CNOOC to finalize the details for the promotion of the two major oil and gas exploration projects. Both sides adopt an equal equity model, with the Chinese side fully bearing the exploration investment and working together to develop deep oil and gas resources in the Caspian Sea Basin, further deepening the China Kazakhstan energy strategic partnership.

Sinopec and KMG are focusing on promoting the exploration project of the Berezovsky block in Kazakhstan. This block is located in the core area of Xiha, with high-quality resource endowment and outstanding development potential. The project adopts a 50:50 equity cooperation model between China and Kazakhstan, with exploration investment fully borne by the Chinese side. According to the established plan, large-scale 2D seismic data acquisition will be completed by the end of 2026, followed by 3D exploration and 7000 meter ultra deep well drilling to tackle the challenges of complex geological exploration. Both parties will also jointly carry out scientific research on the sub salt structures in the Caspian Sea, break through the bottleneck of deep exploration technology, and review the operation of existing joint venture projects to consolidate the basic cooperation.

Lock in the reserves of the new area

CNOOC and KMG have landed the Rileioi oil and gas exploration project, located in the key transitional zone in the northeast of the Caspian Sea, with outstanding strategic value. The project also implements equal equity cooperation, with the Chinese side bearing the initial exploration investment, with a minimum investment of 31.5 million US dollars. At present, the project preparation is accelerating comprehensively. It will optimize the existing seismic data, complete large-scale 3D exploration within the year, and implement salt drilling operations in layers to accurately evaluate block reserves. China is simultaneously expanding its cooperation boundaries, actively participating in regional deep exploration projects, and coordinating with Kazakhstan's new oil and gas asset layout. Keywords: China Kazakhstan cooperation, oil and gas exploration, interconnectivity

Consolidate the foundation of interconnectivity

The simultaneous landing of the new oil and gas project in Kazakhstan by two major central enterprises marks the transition of China Kazakhstan energy cooperation from shallow exploration to deep research and development, and from single point projects to comprehensive layout. Both sides will continue to accelerate the implementation of projects, relying on China's technological and financial advantages, as well as Kazakhstan's resource and location advantages, to achieve mutual benefit, complementarity, and coordinated development, and continue to consolidate the foundation of energy interconnection and cooperation between China and Central Asia.Editor/Gong Ziwei