Turkmenistan is stepping up its natural gas export strategy with a major new push to expand production at one of the world’s largest gas fields.

Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has signed a decree launching the fourth phase of development at the supergiant Galkynysh gas field, a key element of the country’s long-term energy strategy, The Caspian Post reports via Armenian media.

As part of the plan, Turkmengaz state concern will partner with CNPC Amudarya Petroleum Company Ltd. to deliver a turnkey project aimed at significantly increasing output.

The project envisages construction of facilities processing up to 10 billion cubic meters of commercial gas annually, along with drilling sufficient operational wells to sustain that capacity.

Officials say the move will strengthen Turkmenistan’s position as a key global energy supplier while expanding international cooperation-particularly with China-in the gas sector.