Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 3 / Trend , A.Badalova/
Turkmenistan is willing to ship natural gas to European partners if they build a pipeline across the Caspian Sea to transport fuel westward, Bloomberg reported referring to Yagshigeldy Kakaev, director of state-run gas company Turkmengaz.
"Diversification for us means diversification of markets, but we won't compete for a market at any cost," Kakaev, said at a conference in Bucharest.
Turkmenistan now produces 40 billion cubic meters of gas a year, Kakaev said.
According to BP, as for early 2009, the proven gas reserves in Turkmenistan amounted to 7.94 trillion cubic meters, accounting for 4.3 percent of world reserves.
Gas production in the country in 2008, according to BP, amounted to 66.1 billion cubic meters, which is 0.7 percent more than production in 2007.
Speaking about determining the status of the Caspian Sea, Kakaev has expressed the hope that a decision on this matter will soon be solved.
"We have very good relations with Azerbaijan. Negotiations are being held between working groups set up by the foreign ministries of the two countries," Kakaev said.
Kakaev said his country had sufficient gas to supply current pipelines to Russia and China as well as future links. Exports to China are scheduled to begin later this year.
"Now our priority project is the pipeline to Afghanistan- Pakistan-India," Kakaev said.