British oil and gas corporation BP is prepared to participate in the creation of a new energy route designed for the export of gas from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to Europe through the territory of Azerbaijan via the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC).
The Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Baghir Ibrahimov, Chief Geologist of BP Azerbaijan, announced the company's readiness to support the initiative. He noted that at the end of March, BP's regional leadership confirmed Kazakhstan's vital role in establishing the "Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan" energy corridor.
"BP plans to apply the experience gained in Azerbaijan to the construction of synchronized infrastructure. As a result, it will be possible to transport gas from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan across the Caspian Sea and subsequently connect it to the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC)," Ibrahimov emphasized. According to his assessment, this corridor could become a key tool for diversifying energy supplies to Europe by 2030, with Kazakhstan possessing the potential to provide a significant portion of the production.
Ibrahimov recalled that Kazakhstan's national company KazMunayGas (KMG) and BP Exploration Operating Company Limited have signed an agreement on cooperation for the geological exploration and development of the promising Ustyurt block located in Kazakhstan's Mangistau region. The geologist noted that the joint activities of BP and KazMunayGas to increase Kazakhstan's resource base will be a contributing element to the corridor's development.
"The project involves large-scale geological exploration in the Ustyurt basin in western Kazakhstan—a region where, according to preliminary assessments, large volumes of undiscovered gas reserves are concentrated. The multi-year program includes 2D and 3D seismic surveys, as well as the drilling of several deep exploration wells between 2026 and 2029," the geologist added.
The Southern Gas Corridor, which currently transports Azerbaijani gas from the Shah Deniz field to European markets, is a strategic initiative of the European Commission aimed at increasing the security and diversity of the EU's energy supply. By integrating Central Asian resources into this existing network, Azerbaijan continues to solidify its position as a central energy hub and a reliable transit partner between the East and West. This expansion aligns with the European Union's broader strategy to reduce dependence on single-source energy suppliers and transition toward more integrated regional energy markets.
