Turkmenistan and South Korea explore broader cooperation in oil refining, with Korean companies expected to expand their involvement in modernisation and maintenance projects at the Turkmenbashi Oil Refinery Complex.
Turkmenistan and South Korea are seeking to expand cooperation in the oil refining sector, including greater participation by Korean companies in the modernisation and maintenance of major industrial facilities. The discussions take place during a visit by South Korean Ambassador to Turkmenistan Lee Won-jae to the Turkmenbashi Oil Refinery Complex on August 26.
During the visit, Lee reviews the refinery's production facilities and ongoing projects involving Korean companies. He meets with Turkmenbashi Oil Refinery Complex Director Dovran Chishiev and representatives of Korean firms to discuss the current state of cooperation and prospects for expanding joint activities.
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The South Korean ambassador expresses appreciation to the refinery's management for supporting Korean companies operating in Turkmenistan. He also expresses hope that Korean firms will play a larger role in modernisation and maintenance projects at the complex.
Lee also meets representatives of Koryo Shipbuilding Industry Technology (KSIT) and Yuhan Tech, receiving updates on their projects and activities in Turkmenistan. The meetings underline the growing involvement of South Korean companies in Turkmenistan's industrial and energy sectors.
Oil refining remains an important component of Turkmenistan's efforts to modernise its energy infrastructure and increase the value generated from its hydrocarbon resources. Greater cooperation with Korean engineering and technology companies could support improvements in refinery efficiency, maintenance capabilities and production infrastructure.
The partnership builds on a long record of South Korean participation in major Turkmen industrial projects. According to the Korean embassy, Korean companies have secured contracts worth approximately $5 billion to $11 billion in Turkmenistan over the past decade. Major projects include modernisation of the Turkmenbashi oil refinery complex, desulfurisation facilities at the Galkynysh gas field, the Kiyanly gas-chemical complex and fertiliser plants.
Companies including Hyundai Engineering, LG International and Daewoo Engineering & Construction have played prominent roles in these projects, strengthening South Korea's position as an important technology and engineering partner for Turkmenistan's energy and industrial development.
The latest engagement also reflects the broader expansion of bilateral relations since Turkmenistan and South Korea established diplomatic ties in 1992. Cooperation has developed across energy, infrastructure, shipbuilding and other industrial sectors, supported by high-level political engagement.
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For Turkmenistan, deeper cooperation with Korean companies can provide access to advanced engineering expertise and technologies needed to upgrade industrial infrastructure. For South Korea, continued participation in Turkmenistan's energy projects offers opportunities for its engineering, technology and industrial companies to expand their presence in Central Asia.
The latest discussions therefore point to further opportunities for Korean companies to participate in the modernisation and maintenance of Turkmenistan's oil-refining infrastructure, potentially strengthening the long-term industrial partnership between the two countries.