Ingilab Mammadov, the Chief of the Public Finance Monitoring Centre, informed Trend today that Turkmenistan joining the TransCaspian gas pipeline project will depend on the events, which will happen in the region and Russian energy policy on carrying hydrocarbons via the Caspian depth.
According to the expert, the TransCaspian project is being broadly discussed and the pipeline may be laid, if there is certain clarity to the above-mentioned project from Russia, Iran, and Turkmenistan.
Many aspects will depend on which energy policy Russia will carry out toward the export of hydrocarbons to the European market via the TransCaspian project, he said.
Turkmenistan joining the TransCaspian pipeline directly depends on events happening in the region and Russian policy, said the expert.
The preliminary cost of the construction of the new underwater gas pipeline (at the existing prices on services and materials) is estimated at $11,5 bln. Its capacity reach 22 bln. cubic meters of gas per year.
Speaking about the status of the Caspian Sea, the expert said that the decision of this issue would mainly depend on Iran and Turkmenistan position.
Mr. Akhmadov also touched the issue of disputed territories existing between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.
That issue was hidden and postponed due to Turkmenistan unwillingness not to launch the negotiations that could be without fail bring to the resolution of this problem, said the expert.
Due to the uncertainty with the issue connected with the status of the Caspian with Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan cannot launch the development of the offshore field, Kapaz.