Energy and Economy 

BP Launches Gas Production at ACG Field  

BP announced the start of commercial gas production at Azerbaijan’s ACG field on June 1. ACG is estimated to contain 4 trillion cubic feet of non-associated gas resources, but the field, which has produced oil for nearly three decades, may hold as much as 6 trillion cubic feet. The company also discovered a thin oil ring between the gas and water zones in the deeper reservoir. BP holds a 37.3% stake in the ACG field alongside Azerbaijan's state ⁠energy company SOCAR, MOL, INPEX, ExxonMobil, TPAO, and ONGC Videsh. 

Source: Reuters 

Kazakhstan Resumes Oil Production at Tengiz Field After Brief Disruption 

Kazakhstan’s energy ministry confirmed on June 1 that crude oil output has returned to normal levels of 290,000 metric tons per day. Oil production from the country’s Tengiz fields was temporarily limited after an “operational disruption” at a production facility on May 28. Chevron, a stakeholder in operations at the Tengiz fields, also confirmed the disruption and that their oil production had returned to nearly normal levels. 

Source: Reuters 

Türkiye Announces Interest in Construction of Electricity Corridor to Europe 

Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar stated that the country is cooperating with Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Bulgaria to construct an electricity distribution system that incorporates higher output from renewable energy sources. Bayraktar compared the planned electricity corridor to the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), which stretches from the Caspian Sea to Greece. He also stated that Ankara plans to invest $30B into upgrading its electrical infrastructure for distribution. The plans were announced in Azerbaijan at the opening of Baku Energy Week.  

Source: Reuters, Apa 

Russia and Kazakhstan Sign $16.5 Billion Nuclear Power Plant Agreement  

Russia and Kazakhstan signed an agreement for Rosatom to build Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant near Lake Balkhash. The facility will include two VVER-1200 reactors and is expected to begin construction in 2027. This marks Kazakhstan’s attempt to address electricity shortages while deepening energy cooperation with Russia.  

Source: Reuters, World Nuclear News   

Tashkent Signs More Than $3.5 Billion in Deals with Chinese Partners 

Tashkent signed more than $3.5 billion in investment and export agreements at the Third Uzbekistan-China Interregional Forum in Xi’an, China, on May 21 and 22. Investment projects captured $3.35 billion, while export contracts netted $156 million. Signed agreements include infrastructure, transport, housing, environmental technology, and industrial development and focus on Tashkent rather than Uzbekistan as a whole. Chinese partners will provide project financing, although repayment will be made with municipal revenue.  

Source: The Times of Central Asia 

Kazakhstan Advances Species Reintroductions in its Territory 

Kazakhstan has released a group of five Przewalski’s horses into the Altyn Dala State Nature Reserve as part of its initiative to restore the species’ wild population. More arrivals from European zoos are also expected this week, further contributing to species reintroduction efforts that began in 2024. Przewalski’s horses were declared extinct in the wild in 1969, though several zoos have successfully launched breeding operations to reintroduce the species into its former habitat. Separately, ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Kazakhstan, Russia handed over four Amur tigers to the country for introduction into the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve. The handover is part of Kazakh efforts to rebuild a healthy tiger population in Central Asia after the Caspian tiger—which inhabited the Steppe—was declared extinct in the 1970s. 

Source: Astana Times, Reuters  

Politics and Security 

Eurasian Economic Union Summit in Astana 

Leaders of the five member states of the Eurasian Economic Union – Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia – convened for a series of talks in Astana on May 28-29. Discussions focused on AI, digital autonomy, and responsible, joint development of AI as economic and strategic priorities. The summit was also attended by leaders and representatives from observer-states Uzbekistan, Iran, Cuba, Vietnam, Mongolia, and the UAE. 

Sources: EEC, KazInform 

Putin and Tokayev Hold Talks in Astana 

President of Russia Putin and President of Kazakhstan Tokayev met in Astana on May 28, before the start of the Eurasian Economic Union talks. In his address to Putin, Tokayev expressed gratitude and referenced the recent bilateral agreement on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan. The two leaders also signed a document on the “seven foundations” of the countries’ relationship, which include a desire for further integration within Eurasia, maintenance of both linguistic diversity and traditional values, and a collective view of the future. 

Sources: KazInform, Akorda  

EAEU Warns Armenia It Could Be Suspended Over EU Ambitions  

At thet Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)summit in Astana on May 28-29, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan warned Armenia that its pursuit of European Union membership could threaten the economic security of the EAEU. The bloc agreed to examine the consequences of suspending Armenia’s membership later this year, which places pressure on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan ahead of Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary election.  

Source: AP News