Analyzing the development of China gas market, one may come to agreement that it is a very promising one. According to the data of Chinese specialists, within the forthcoming 20 years, the demand on gas in the Chinese People Republic will increase by 15 percent every year. China's gas consumption is expected to increase from the existent 45 bln. cubic meters up to 300 bln cubic meters by 2030. Therefore, the Chinese market is rather interesting and perspective to Kazakhstan, Serik Sultangaliyev, Director General of KazMunayGaz, told in an exclusive interview with Trend Correpondent to Astana.
According to Mr. Sultangaliyev, Kazakhstan could supply this country not only with its own gas but also with Turkmen one, thereby, resolving the gas supplies diversification issue.
The project of a gas pipeline Kazakhstan China is very interesting to us, and we are about to involve Chinese companies to the implementation of new gas transporting projects, he said.
An agreement on construction of gas pipeline Kazakhstan-China was signed between the oil companies of the two countries. In August, 2005, KazMunayGaz and CNPC (China National Petroleum Company) signed an agreement on joint development and feasibility study of the project. Regarding the terms, the two companies were expected to launch the construction of the gas pipeline in 2008, Putting the first section of the pipeline into commission was scheduled for 2009. At this stage, we could transport not less than 10 bln cubic meters to China annually. All the construction works and putting the gas main into the practice are expected to be in 2012. The pipeline's capacity is expected to double up to 30 bln cubic meters by the time.