Kazakhstan plans to complete construction of the Ishim-Astana main gas pipeline by the end of 2029, a project designed to connect the country’s northern regions to Russia’s gas transportation system.

The project was formalized on October 9, 2025, when Kazakhstan and Russia’s Gazprom signed a memorandum on the construction of the Ishim-Astana pipeline, according to Qazinform.

The Energy Ministry said work is currently focused on revising the feasibility study for the second and third stages of the Saryarka main gas pipeline, taking into account the new configuration of the Ishim-Astana project.

The design companies are collecting initial data and developing technical solutions, including the proposed pipeline route and the composition of the gas transportation infrastructure.

The final technical specifications and list of facilities will be established after the relevant design documentation is completed and approved.

Kazakhstan’s section of the project is being developed by AstanaGaz KMG, which operates under the trust management of national gas company QazaqGaz.

Construction will move to the next stage after Kazakhstan and Russia agree on the economic and other key conditions for gas supplies and make a final investment decision.

The total cost of the project has not yet been determined. Its financial parameters are expected to become clearer after the feasibility study is revised and design and survey work is completed.

Pipeline could pass through North Kazakhstan and Akmola

Preliminary plans call for the pipeline to start at the Kazakhstan-Russia border and cross the North Kazakhstan and Akmola regions toward Petropavl and Kokshetau.

It would then connect to the existing Saryarka main gas pipeline near Astana.

The exact route, including the districts and settlements it will cross, will be determined during the design and survey stage. Technical, land-use and environmental requirements will also be taken into account.

The project is expected to include additional gas transportation infrastructure to supply natural gas to Petropavl and Kokshetau. This could involve branch pipelines and automated gas distribution stations serving the two cities.

Preliminary agreements provide for a gradual increase in Russian natural gas supplies to Kazakhstan, eventually reaching up to 6.3 billion cubic meters annually.

Kazakhstan and Russia are continuing negotiations on gas prices and other economic and supply conditions. The final terms will be determined through the ongoing talks.

The number of settlements and residents that could eventually gain access to the gas network has also not yet been finalized. This will depend on the development of regional gas distribution networks.

The October 2025 memorandum sets the end of 2029 as the target for completing the Ishim-Astana project.

However, construction and commissioning dates have not yet been finalized.

The timetable will depend on the outcome of the design process, completion of state examinations, agreement on gas supply conditions and the adoption of a final investment decision.