Astana, Kazakhstan, May 21
By Daniyar Mukhtarov - Trend:
Russia is considering a new project on supplying its oil to China through Kazakhstan, Yuri Sentiurin, Russia's Deputy Energy Minister said.
He made the remarks at a press conference on the occasion of opening of the World Energy Leaders' Summit on the theme 'Energy in transition: opportunities and emerging risks' on May 21.
He pointed out that Russia's Rosneft is the initiator of the project.
"We believe that this is a promising project, as we pursue a policy of diversification of the routes of energy supply to the global market. The Asian-Pacific market is beneficial for a long-term perspective, according to experts' estimates," the deputy energy minister said.
He went on to add that China is a part of the mentioned market and up to seven million tonnes of oil can be delivered to this country per year.
"The issue is under the stage of development," Sentiurin said, adding that the timeframe of implementation of the project hasn't been clarified yet.
"The transit route passes through Kazakhstan," he said. "First, the experts must calculate the cost of transit and make a decision."
He stressed that southern neighbors, namely, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and India show an interest in the project.
"Colleagues from India, who are working on the TAPI project, have offered to consider the possibility of building a gas pipeline from Russia through Central Asia to South Asia given their experience," he added.
"The talks on Russian gas supplies to China are underway," he said. "But an agreement has not been signed yet."
"The parties are currently taking a break to discuss the details of the future treaty," he said. "The matter rests in supplying 30-38 billion cubic meters of Russian gas to China a year."
Edited by C.N.