Kazakhstan’s first self-elevating floating drilling rig, Satti, owned by Kazakhstan-based company KMG Drilling & Services (KMG DS), is set to be deployed at the Cheleken field in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea. The rig is currently undergoing technical preparations before being towed to its destination, as reported by the Transport and Communications Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. 

The offshore drilling contract was signed in 2024 between KMG DS and Dragon Oil Turkmenistan Limited, a subsidiary of Dragon Oil.

Satti drilling rig is a unique design equipped with advanced technology for operations in challenging offshore environments. Following its 2021 upgrade, the rig’s load capacity increased from 453 to 680 tons. It is capable of drilling wells up to 6,000 meters deep.

According to report, this initiative is expected to strengthen Kazakhstan’s position in the global oilfield services market and enhance economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.

In October 2024, KMG Drilling & Services opened a branch in Ashgabat to support its operations in Turkmenistan, particularly those related to drilling at the Cheleken field.