Kazakh Official: SOCAR Keen to Join Dunga Oil Field Project

Kazakh Vice Minister of Energy Sanjar Zharkeshov has said that the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) announced its interest in joining the development of Kazakhstan’s Dunga oil field.

Zharkeshov highlighted ongoing efforts between the energy ministries of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan to deepen collaboration in oil exploration and production. This cooperation involves their national companies, KazMunayGas and SOCAR, The Caspian Post informs via local media.

“A memorandum has been signed that outlines a broad range of potential joint projects. SOCAR, in particular, has expressed a keen interest in participating in the Dunga field project, located in the Mangistau region. Negotiations are active, and we await further decisions from the Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy. Kazakhstan stands ready to provide full support,” Zharkeshov stated.

Located in the Tupkaragan district of Mangistau, the Dunga oil and gas field boasts estimated geological reserves of 106 million tons of oil and more than 6 billion cubic meters of gas. The field was discovered in 1966 and operates under a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed on May 1, 1994, between Oman Oil Company Limited and the Kazakh government.

Currently, the project is managed by Total E&P Dunga GmbH (60 per cent), Oman Oil Company Limited (20 per cent), and Partex Kazakhstan Corporation (20 per cent), collectively known as the “contractor,” with Total E&P Dunga GmbH acting as the operator.