A joint Russian-Kazakh company will build a shipping channel in the Caspian Sea to ensure the development of the field.

The joint venture "Kalamkas-Khazar Operating" (a partnership of KazMunayGas and Lukoil) plans to build an offshore shipping channel in the Caspian Sea to ensure the transportation of oil platforms and equipment to the Kalamkas field. Construction is scheduled for the period 2026-2029.

Two options for laying a canal through the Ural Saddle are being considered: the main route, about 91 km long, coinciding with the Guryevsky Fairway, and an alternative 75 km long, bypassing the habitat of the Caspian seals. The project is caused by the lowering of the Caspian Sea level, which complicates access to the field located in the territorial waters of Kazakhstan.

After the platforms are delivered, the channel is planned to be closed, as its further use is not envisaged. The final decision on investments is expected in 2025. Production is scheduled to start around 2028-2029, with peak production of up to 4 million tons of oil annually.