Scientific research and environmental impact assessments must be integrated into the design and execution of oil and gas projects in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea. These measures enhance the reliability of technical solutions, mitigate risks, and ensure the predictability of long-term investments.
Sea-news.az reports that Murat Atajanov, Director of the Caspian Sea Institute, highlighted this during his address at the 31st International Conference and Exhibition “Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan” (OGT 2026) in Ashgabat on Thursday.
“Scientific research and environmental assessments in the implementation of oil and gas projects are not merely supplementary procedures, but the very foundation for technical, investment, and environmental decision-making,” he emphasized.
According to Atajanov, comprehensive scientific oversight is essential across all project stages—from geological exploration and engineering design to field exploitation and decommissioning. These efforts must encompass the study of subsurface geological structures, seabed conditions, hydrometeorological factors, and coastal dynamics, alongside assessing the health of marine ecosystems.
He drew special attention to predicting the potential consequences of accidental hydrocarbon spills at sea, developing measures to prevent and respond to such incidents, and evaluating the overall environmental footprint of oil and gas infrastructure on the marine environment.
Atajanov noted that the development of Caspian resources must strictly comply with the provisions of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, dated August 12, 2018. While providing for the exploration and development of the resources of the sea and its bed, the Convention enshrines the principles of rational resource utilization and the protection of the marine ecosystem.
“Harnessing hydrocarbon potential and protecting the marine environment must be treated as interconnected imperatives,” he stated.
Addressing practical measures, the institute director underscored the importance of factoring in various scenarios of potential Caspian Sea level fluctuations when planning oil and gas operations. According to him, shifting depths and coastal configurations can impact the performance of onshore production facilities, access channels, port infrastructure, offshore platforms, and subsea pipelines.
“Under such conditions, scientific assessments must encompass diverse sea level variation scenarios, infrastructure vulnerability analysis, and the formulation of adaptation measures,” Atajanov remarked.
He also emphasized the significance of the Commission on Caspian Sea Shallowing. The decision to establish the commission was reached by the leaders of the five Caspian littoral states on October 9 in the Avaza National Tourist Zone during the First Caspian Ecological Summit.
In Atajanov’s view, the commission’s work must rely on objective scientific data and aligned approaches among the five nations.
“Ensuring continuous monitoring, comparability of research findings, and the practical application of scientific conclusions in making economic decisions are of paramount importance,” he concluded.
It should be noted that the second day of the 31st International Conference and Exhibition “Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan” (OGT 2026) is underway in Ashgabat. A dedicated session titled “Investment Opportunities and Prospects for the Development of the Turkmen Sector of the Caspian Sea” is being held as part of the event. The session covers investment potential for developing the sector, prospects for offshore hydrocarbon exploration and production, as well as the enhancement of international partnerships.
The agenda also features ongoing and new Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs), along with modern seismic survey initiatives designed to assist in evaluating resource potential and preparing prospective structures for field development.
