Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country
Kazakhstan is key to the Middle Corridor
The race to go around Russia is on and the New Silk Road has a Central Asian energy flavour
The Middle Corridor, a major new trade route from China running through Central Asia to Europe that bypasses Russia and its Northern Corridor, has been on the drawing board for decades. Now, the war in Ukraine may have finally created the incentives needed to make it happen. Energy is at the centre of the route, and Kazakhstan—a big, potential beneficiary looking to diversify its oil export routes—is moving full speed ahead to take advantage. “With Russia weakening its grip on the region, it is quite timely that [regional leaders] started discussing this again, and I think this is quite a realistic project, because if Kazakhstan builds a trans-Caspian oil pipeline, they will minimise the ris
Also in this section
12 December 2025
The latest edition of our annual Outlook publication, titled 'The shape of energy to come: Creating unique pathways and managing shifting alliances', is available now
12 December 2025
The federal government is working with Alberta to improve the country’s access to Asian markets and reduce dependence on the US, but there are challenges to their plans
11 December 2025
The removal of the ban on oil and gas exploration and an overhaul of the system sends all the right messages for energy security, affordability and sustainability
10 December 2025
The economic and environmental cost of the seven-year exploration ban will be felt long after its removal
