China Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) will begin the fourth stage of commercial development at Turkmenistan's largest gas field, Galkynysh, in early 2026. This was announced by Maksat Babayev, Chairman of the “Turkmengaz” State Concern, during a speech at the international conference "Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan – 2025."

"A total of seven stages of industrial development of the Galkynysh field are planned. The first stage was successfully commissioned, during which three gas processing plants with a total capacity of 30 billion cubic meters per year were built, and they are now operating successfully," Babayev said.

According to him, the fourth phase of the project, with a design capacity of 10 billion cubic meters per year, will be implemented by CNPC, which won the international tender. "Implementation of this stage of industrial development will begin early next year and will be financed entirely by Turkmenistan's own funds," the head of “Turkmengaz” emphasized.

Babayev noted that diversification of export routes remains the cornerstone of Turkmenistan's gas policy. China remains the largest buyer of Turkmen natural gas. Currently, three lines (A, B, and C) of the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline system deliver approximately 40 billion cubic meters of gas annually.

"After the fourth line (Line D) is commissioned, volumes are planned to increase to approximately 65 billion cubic meters per year, which will significantly strengthen the stability of supplies to one of the world's most dynamically developing energy markets," the concern's chairman stated.