Kazakhstan, Astana, July 10 / Trend , K.Konirova/
Today, the Almaty region of Kazakhstan hosted an official ceremony of finishing welding on the first section of the "Kazakhstan-China" gas pipeline, JSC KazStroyServis reported.
"This is one of giant international projects in Kazakhstan which is implemented by Asian gas pipeline. "The project aims to ensure transit of the Turkmen natural gas through Kazakhstan to China, as well as transport natural gas from oil fields in Kazakhstan's western region to export to China and the country's regions: Kyzylorda, South Kazakhstan, Zhambyl, Almaty regions and Almaty," the enterprise released.
Earlier it was reported that the route of the gas pipeline originates from the borders of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, and passes through South Kazakhstan, Zhambyl, Almaty region to the border with China in the Khorgos point. The total length of the main trace is 1304.5 km.
"The pipeline under high pressure will annually pump some 30 billion cubic meters of gas. We need the qualified staff for its normal exploitation. It requires not only theoretical knowledge, but also practical experience. Our main task is that the people from a student position will be clearly directed at our facility," said General Director of the Asian Gas Pipeline, Beimbet Shayahmetov.
The pipeline consists of two sections. Construction of the first section was launched in November 2008 and it is planned to put into exploitation in December 2009. The capacity of the first section of the pipeline will be 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas with a further growth after applying gas pumping facilities.
Construction of the second section of the pipeline began in December 2008 and a date of the scheduled task is July 2010. A maximum capacity of both sections will be 10 billion cubic meters a year.
The scheduled date of the gas pipeline covers 30 years.
The "Kazakhstan-China" gas pipeline envisages installing seven compressor stations. The first five of them will be built in 2009-2012.
Generally, by the end of 2009, the Asian Gas Pipeline will complete the preparations for the period of operation and will transport gas through the first section of the "Kazakhstan-China" gas pipeline.