On May 8, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov held an off-site Cabinet of Ministers meeting in the Avaza National Tourist Zone, dedicated to key socioeconomic development objectives for the country, and in particular, the Balkan Velayat. The central issue of the industrial sector was improving the region's oil and gas sector.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Guvanch Agajanov reported on the measures being implemented and presented a draft resolution for the head of state's consideration aimed at modernizing the Turkmenbashi Oil Refinery Complex (TORC) of the Turkmennebit State Concern.

During the meeting, it was emphasized that the oil and gas sector is undertaking extensive work to efficiently utilize the capacities of the TORC, the Kenar Storage and Loading Facility, and the oil loading terminals. At the same time, Turkmen geologists and oil and gas workers are actively conducting geological exploration and industrial development of new deposits in the velayat.

Summarizing the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the need for continuous improvement of fuel and energy companies to ensure the efficient use of the country's natural resources. The head of state placed particular emphasis on the effectiveness of geological exploration in the coastal zones of the Caspian Sea and the continued comprehensive modernization of the Turkmenbashi Complex of Oil Refineries, the flagship of the domestic petrochemical industry.

In this regard, the head of state signed a decree aimed at significantly improving the supply of purified water to oil refinery production facilities. According to the document, the Turkmennebit State Concern is authorized to enter into a contract with the Nur Mimar business entity, using its own funds, for the design and construction of the Kenar pumping station and a modern seawater desalination plant.

This large-scale facility, which meets high international standards, will have a daily capacity of 15,000 cubic meters. The project envisages the commencement of construction in June 2026, with the station fully commissioned and operational in June 2029. This decision by the President of Turkmenistan lays a solid foundation for the environmentally sustainable and technologically advanced development of the flagship of the national oil refining industry.