Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Feb. 5 / Trend , E.Hasanov/
UK oil and gas companies are
considering the priorities and prospects for energy partnership with Turkmenistan at a joint energy business forum in Ashgabat.
It is the second time an event of this kind has been held. The first one was
held in London last year. A prerequisite for the events was the visit of
British Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks to Ashgabat in 2007. He signed an energy
memorandum of understanding.
British Petroleum, Shell, Denton Wilde Sapte, AMEC, Production Services
Network, Fluor and Worley Parsons have expressed interest in the Ashgabat
forum, prepared by the Turkmenistan Oil and Gas Industry and Mineral Resources Ministry
and the UK Embassy in Turkmenistan. Energy and Climate Change director John
Neve represented the official part of the British delegation. "The British
government attaches great importance to ... enhancing cooperation in energy
sector with Turkmenistan," he told reporters.
The business forum presented the energy legislative framework of Turkmenistan, as well as the principles of drawing in foreign capital to exploration, production of
hydrocarbon resources, development of offshore blocks in the Caspian Sea,
upgrading processing, increasing export communication capacity using latest scientific
and technological advances.
Turkmenistan has been realizing projects through British capital - Dragon Oil
and Burren Energy companies. Shell participated in designing of a feasibility
study on two projects to bring Turkmen gas to Turkey and Europe via Iran and the Caspian Sea. Due to unresolved inter-state issues, the two initiatives have not been
realized.
British Gaffney, Cline & Associates conducted an independent audit of
hydrocarbon resources in Turkmenistan. According to 2008 preliminary estimates,
the South Iolotan-Osman field, located in country's east, was listed among
world's five major gas fields. The event sparked West's interest in Turkmenistan.
Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at [email protected]