Croatia to explore oil in Kazakhstan for the first time

Published April 2, 2026 17:05

Zhanel Zhazetova

Zhanel Zhazetova

Business News Editor z.zhazetova@kursiv.media
Photo: Shutterstock, photo editor: Adelina Mamedova

Croatia will take part in the prospecting and production of hydrocarbons at the Shygys site in the Aktobe region, western Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Energy reported.

The contract was signed by the ministry, KazMunayGas and Geoenergija Razvoj d.o.o — a subsidiary of the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency — during the Geoscience and Exploration Central Asia international forum.

The project will be implemented on a parity basis (50/50), while Croatian investors will fully cover the expenses of geological exploration.

The sides plan to conduct a 500-kilometer 2D seismic survey and drill a 3,500-meter-deep exploration well, marking the first experience for natural resource exploration in Kazakhstan.

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