In accordance with the 2026 Work Plan of the State Commission of Turkmenistan for Emergency Situations, approved by Resolution No. 1630 of the President of Turkmenistan dated December 28, 2025, a comprehensive exercise on the prevention and elimination of industrial accidents on oil and gas production platforms and other multi-purpose facilities (structures) in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea was held on July 24, 2026, with the State Service of Maritime and River Transportation of Turkmenistan acting as the lead executing agency.

Objectives of the comprehensive exercise:

·         To clarify the actions to be taken in the event of natural and man-made emergencies in the Caspian Sea;

·         To ensure the implementation of the coordinated action plan between Civil Defense and Emergency Services;

·         To specify the forces and resources to be deployed during emergencies in the Caspian Sea and to ensure the efficiency and agility of their response;

·         To enhance the joint, coordinated actions of the Civil Defense and Emergency Services participating in the comprehensive exercise.

The comprehensive exercise was conducted in three stages. According to the exercise plan, an oil spill occurs at the "Zhdanov-A" platform of the "Jygalybeg" oil and gas field located in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea near the city of Turkmenbashi. An operator at the Vessel Traffic Management Center building in the Turkmenbashi International Seaport receives the incident report and promptly alerts the Civil Defense and Emergency Services.

To eliminate the adverse consequences of the emergency and minimize damages, the leadership of Civil Defense gathers at the management center of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport, where specific tasks are outlined and appropriate decisions are made. Reports regarding the forces and equipment to be deployed by various services, enterprises, and organizations are reviewed in line with the plan.

While decisions are being finalized, personnel from the Caspian Environmental Control Service, aboard a specialized tugboat, conduct reconnaissance and monitoring operations at the scene to locate and assess the platform fire and the oil-polluted area. They also collect water samples to test quality in the affected marine zone.

Immediately following the decision-making phase, the deployed marine forces and equipment proceed to the incident coordinates and, alongside the Maritime Search and Rescue Service of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport, commence operations by deploying containment booms to collect the spilled oil.

To conclude the emergency response and damage mitigation efforts, the Head of Civil Defense gathers detailed updates from the executive leadership on the repair and restoration work performed, accepts final reports, assesses the extent of the damage, and submits a comprehensive report with recommendations to the State Commission for Emergency Situations.

Based on the results of the comprehensive training exercise, the Head of Civil Defense awarded a high rating of "Ready" for the swift decision-making and precise actions required during potential natural and man-made emergencies in the Caspian Sea.