Kazakhstan has moved forward with plans to build a major gas processing plant at the Kashagan oil field, marking a significant step in the country's efforts to expand gas production and strengthen energy security.

The project, which will have an annual processing capacity of 2.5 billion cubic meters of gas, has officially entered the construction phase following a high-level meeting chaired by Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov, The Caspian Post reports via Kazinform.

Representatives of QazaqGaz, PSA LLP, shareholders of the North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC) consortium and other stakeholders reviewed the project's progress and discussed measures to ensure timely completion.

Construction of a separate 1 billion cubic meter gas processing plant at Kashagan is already underway, while the larger 2.5 billion cubic meter facility has now entered practical implementation.

The project is considered strategically important for Kazakhstan’s gas industry and remains under the special oversight of the country’s leadership.

Under a government resolution, a consortium comprising China National Chemical Engineering Sixth Construction Company Kazakhstan Branch and China Wuhuan Engineering Corporation has been selected as the EPC contractor for the facility.