Construction has begun on Phase 4 of Turkmenistan’s Galkynysh Gas Field Project (Phase 4). The project marks the latest expansion of Turkmenistan’s flagship upstream development and represents a significant step in strengthening the country’s gas export capacity and long-term production.
Galkynysh, located in Mary Province in eastern Turkmenistan, is one of the world’s largest onshore gas fields. The field has been developed in planned stages since commercial production began in 2013. Phase 4 formally entered its construction stage in April 2026, following a series of agreements between Turkmenistan’s state gas company, Turkmengaz, and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).
Phase 4 will add approximately 353 bcf (10 x 109 m3) per year of additional marketable gas capacity. To achieve this, the project includes the design and construction of new gas processing and preparation facilities, as well as the drilling and completion of additional production wells. CNPC, acting through its Turkmen subsidiary, has been awarded a turnkey contract to carry out engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning for the phase, while financing for the project is being provided entirely by Turkmenistan. Public statements from Turkmengaz put the total investment at roughly US$5.1 billion.
In production terms, Phase 4 is expected to raise total output from Galkynysh from the current range of about 1.24 tcf (35 x 109 m3) per year to 1.59 tcf (45 x 109 m3) annually once the new facilities are fully operational. This incremental volume is strategically important because Galkynysh underpins most of Turkmenistan’s gas exports. Most exported gas currently flows east via the Central Asia–China pipeline system, supplying China, which accounts for roughly 90% of Turkmenistan’s external gas sales.
Beyond volume growth, Phase 4 reflects a broader evolution in the project’s technical and operational focus. As field development moves beyond initial high-pressure production, greater emphasis is being placed on gas treatment, compression, and long-term reliability of surface infrastructure. Modern processing systems, high-capacity compressors, and digitalized control and monitoring solutions are intended to support stable output under more variable reservoir conditions while improving efficiency and environmental performance.
