Results of the Year
Next-Generation Tengiz: How the FGP-WPMP Is Redrawing Kazakhstan❜s Oil Map and Building an Industrial Legacy
In January of this year, Tengizchevroil (TCO) took another step forward as safe production began at the new Third Generation Plant (3GP) at the Tengiz field. The 3GP facility is part of the integrated Future Growth Project - Wellhead Pressure Management Project (FGP-WPMP). FGP is designed to increase TCO’s total production by an additional 12 million tons of crude oil per annum, while WPMP is designed to keep existing Tengiz processing plants at full capacity by lowering the flowing pressure at the wellheads and then boosting the pressure to the existing plants. With all Tengiz facilities operating at full capacity, TCO’s total annual crude oil production is expected to reach approximately 40 million tons per annum.
The successful delivery of FGP-WPMP is a major accomplishment in terms of scale and global complexity. However, its success is not only measured in production volumes but also by its impact on the labor market, development of local manufacturing, and transition to fundamentally higher engineering standards.
“This achievement will help strengthen Kazakhstan’s position in the global energy market and provides significant incremental value to Kazakhstan in the form of taxes, royalties and other direct financial payments,” said TCO General Director Billy Lacobie. “Once again, the project’s success would not have been possible without the support of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, our shareholders, contractor companies, our talented and skilled workforce, and other stakeholders,” Lacobie added.
It is noteworthy that TCO remains the largest taxpayer in the Republic of Kazakhstan and from 1993 through 3Q 2025, the company made direct financial payments to Kazakhstan of over $209 billion.
Economic Impact: Keeping Value Inside the Country
The execution of FGP-WPMP has become one of the most powerful drivers of the local economy. Over the course of the project, almost $19.5 billion was spent on Kazakhstani goods and services, and more than 1,250 contracts were signed with domestic companies.
“Kazakhstani companies have proven their outstanding capabilities in executing large-scale projects,” said Kuanyshkerey Mukhtarov, TCO Deputy General Director. “Employees gained world-class qualifications and, for many, access to technologies of world scale. Today, they are becoming trainers, supervisors, and leaders—mentoring the next wave of professionals.” Mukhtarov added.
For many contractors, participation in FGP-WPMP was their first experience working at an industrial scale that meets global standards of quality, safety, and certification.
Introduction of New Technologies – Core Part of the Project
The Third Generation Plant (3GP) became the centerpiece of Tengiz’s modernization. Here, oil and gas undergoes separation, crude desalting treatment, and stabilization, as well as gas compression and dehydration. As part of FGP-WPMP, all naturally occurring sour gas produced during oil processing at 3GP will be reinjected to maintain reservoir pressure which helps improve the recovery of crude oil.
As part of FGP-WPMP an Integrated Operations Control Center (IOCC) was launched and is in operation at Tengiz. This state-of-the-art IOCC facility applies the latest digital technologies and is the only facility of its kind in Kazakhstan’s oil and gas industry. It integrates the management of all TCO’s production plants into one control center and operating model. It includes a 2,200 square meter central control room which is designed to provide Tengiz field operators with the capability and flexibility to make better decisions, improve reliability and optimize production performance.
The IOCC is located away from production facilities to ensure safety, operational resilience, and create optimal working conditions for operators by leveraging digital technologies for remote control.
Over 30 Kazakhstani companies contributed to the construction and commissioning of this world class facility. By working on the commissioning of the IOCC, the local workforce also enhanced their knowledge and skills through comprehensive training and being part of this unique experience.
Project Architecture — Unprecedented in Scale and Global Complexity
The 3GP facilities were built from 408 modules and components fabricated at international locations. These were delivered by sea using a specially upgraded fleet. The transportation campaign involved 126 vessels, including 40 ships built or modified specifically for the project. On the local content side, Kazakh companies ERSAI and KCOI manufactured 75 prefabricated pipe rack modules and 10 remote instrument enclosures (RIEs) to international standards—clear proof that Kazakhstan’s industry can perform at a global level.
Infrastructure projects were also implemented to support FGP–WPMP and other economic goals. For example, to deliver modular cargo across the Caspian Sea to Tengiz, TCO constructed a new 76-km marine access channel. A cargo offloading base—including a terminal and access road—was built on the Prorva Peninsula, about 40 km from the Tengiz field boundary.
Meanwhile, the national maritime carrier Kazmortransflot (KMTF), in partnership with Denmark’s Blue Water Shipping, received a contract to build and operate vessels for module transportation in the Caspian Sea. KMTF managed marine operations, while Kazakh company ERSAI fabricated modular pipe racks at its Mangystau facility.
Investing in People — Training and Development to World-Class Standards
At the peak of construction, the project employed about 90,000 specialists. As part of FGP-WPMP, TCO invested in workforce training and development opportunities to build a skilled workforce and leave a legacy for Kazakhstan. During the implementation of FGP-WPMP, TCO helped to create a legacy of trained and skilled national personnel who underwent 37,500 training courses. They can now apply their experiences to other industrial projects within Kazakhstan and internationally. In 2019, TCO also launched a training program for Atyrau and Mangystau region citizens in high-demand craft professions: Rigger, Electric Fitter, Scaffolder, Steel Erector, Welder, Pipefitter, Instrument Fitter, Civil Worker, Insulator, Painter, and Sandblaster. As a result, local specialists have improved their skills in design, construction, and safety. Based on the experience gained in Tengiz, local companies were able to become more competitive in foreign markets and have already received orders or are working on other global projects. In this way, more than 4,000 unemployed residents were trained and more than 75% of them were employed.
The Future Is Already Here
Tengiz is entering a period of record productivity. FGP–WPMP is not just about plants, modules, and facilities—it’s about people, competencies, safety culture, technological expertise, and confidence in the future. The project laid the foundation for strengthening Kazakhstan’s industrial capabilities and its development of human capital, while continuing to fuel the country’s economic progress.