Shell plc has signed a contract with the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to conduct geological exploration at the Zhanaturmys oil and gas block in the Aktobe Region, according to a ministry statement on Thursday.
The agreement marks a new step in expanding exploration activities in one of the country’s hydrocarbon-rich basins.
The Zhanaturmys block spans about 1,377 square kilometres and is situated within a key oil and gas producing area of Kazakhstan.
Under the agreement, exploration work will include seismic surveys, data collection and technical assessments aimed at determining the field’s commercial potential.
The contract is expected to run until 2032 and will require all activities to comply with national regulations and necessary permitting processes.
Authorities did not disclose the expected investment value associated with the exploration programme.
The deal comes as Shell remains involved in major energy projects in Kazakhstan, including the Karachaganak oil and gas condensate field and the Kashagan oil field.
Both projects have recently been linked to legal disputes between international partners and the Kazakh government.
Earlier this year, shareholders in the Karachaganak project, including Shell, lost an arbitration case worth up to $4 billion.
Meanwhile, litigation related to the Kashagan development one of the world’s largest offshore oil discoveries remains ongoing, involving claims estimated at around $160 billion.