BP eyes new Trans-Caspian gas corridor linking Central Asia to Europe

BP has signaled its readiness to participate in the development of a new energy corridor aimed at transporting natural gas from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan through Azerbaijan to European markets via the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), a senior company official said.

Baghir Ibrahimov, Chief Geologist at BP Azerbaijan, stated that the company’s regional leadership reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s strategic importance in the proposed Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan energy corridor during meetings held in late March, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

"BP intends to leverage its accumulated experience in Azerbaijan to build a synchronized infrastructure. This will enable the transportation of gas from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan across the Caspian Sea, with subsequent connection to the SGC," Ibrahimov emphasised.

The initiative is seen as part of broader efforts to diversify Europe’s energy supplies, particularly in light of shifting geopolitical dynamics. According to Ibrahimov, the corridor could emerge as a key export route by 2030, with Kazakhstan expected to play a major role in supplying gas.

In parallel, Ibrahimov highlighted a recent agreement between Kazakhstan’s state-owned KazMunayGas (KMG) and BP Exploration Operating Company Limited to cooperate on geological exploration and development of the Ustyurt block in Kazakhstan’s Mangistau region.

He underscored that expanding Kazakhstan’s resource base will be central to the corridor’s viability.

"The project involves large-scale geological exploration in the Ustyurt Basin in western Kazakhstan, a region estimated to hold substantial untapped gas reserves. The multi-year program will include comprehensive 2D and 3D seismic surveys, as well as drilling several deep exploratory wells between 2026 and 2029," the geologist emphasised.

The proposed corridor would involve transporting gas across the Caspian Sea before linking it to existing infrastructure in Azerbaijan, reinforcing the country’s role as a key energy transit hub between Central Asia and Europe.

By Sabina Mammadli