Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Dec. 22 / Trend H. Hasanov /
Turkmenistan managed to obtain alternative routes bypassing Russia 2009. In December, the gas pipeline to China and an additional branch to Iran were put into operation. At the same time, talks are underway to restore exports to Russia, which were suspended in April.
Central Asia-Center Pipeline (Turkmenistan-Russia) The Central Asia-Center gas pipeline crossing Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Russia was put into operation in late 1960 with a capacity of 80 billion cubic meters per year. Over time, the pipeline's power reduced up to 40-50 billion cubic meters per year. Reconstruction is necessary. Gazprom is the buyer of the gas. The company signed an agreement with Turkmenistan for gas supplies over 25 years in 2003.
Asian Pipeline (Turkmenistan-China)
The Asian gas pipeline traversing Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and China was put into operation in December 2009, with a design capacity of 40 billion cubic meters per year.
Project Status
Currently, the Central Asia-Center Pipeline is practically blocked. Russia suspended Turkmen gas imports in April 2009 due to an accident. Technical issues have been resolved. But under the influence of the global recession, Russia wants to reconsider terms. Negotiations are underway.
Project Status
The pipeline will work at full capacity by 2015. In 2010, supplies will reach nearly 6.7 billion cubic meters per year. The Chinese CNPC is the buyer. The company concluded an agreement with Turkmenistan on gas supplies over 30 years with a maximal volume in 2006.
Korpeje-Kurt-Kui Pipeline (Turkmenistan-Iran)
Status
The Dowletabat-Salyr gas pipeline crossing Turkmenistan and Iran was put into operation in late December 2009. Its capacity is 6 billion cubic meters per year.
The pipeline was commissioned in December 1995. Today, its capacity reached 8 billion cubic meters per year.
Status
Potential capacity can be increaseed to 14 billion cubic meters. The Iranian National Gas Export Company is the buyer.
Dowletabat-Salyr Pipeline (Turkmenistan-Iran)
Status
Potential capacity can be doubled. The Iranian National Gas Export Company is the buyer.
Caspian Pipeline (Turkmenistan-Russia)
The Caspian gas pipeline's design capacity running along the coast of the Caspian Sea from Turkmenistan to Russia via Kazakhstan is 30 billion cubic meters per year.
Gazprom is the buyer. The company signed an agreement with Turkmenistan for supplies ove r25 years in 2003. The presidents of Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan signed the agreement on its construction in May 2007.
Status
The preparation of a feasibility study has been suspended due to geo-economic changes.
Trans-Caspian Pipeline (Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan-Europe)
The design capacity of the 300-kilometer-Trans-Caspian pipeline through the Caspian seabed between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan is linked to Europe's demand for Turkmen gas.
Status
There are no agreements on implementing the Trans-Caspian pipeline. In 2009, Ashgabat stated its readiness to supply the Nabucco project with an annual volume of up to 10 billion cubic meters of gas.
Trans-Afghan Pipeline (Turkmenistan-India)
The Trans-Afghan gas pipeline's design capacity travesing Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India is 30 billion cubic meters of gas per year. Pakistani and Indian gas companies are the buyers.
Status
The project is under discussion. It has been hampered due to instability in Afghanistan. In 2009, Turkmenistan and Pakistan signed protocols to accelerate the implementation of the project. The feasibility study has been prepared. The Asian Development Bank is promoting the project.
In 2009, the Italian concern Eni proposed long-term assistance to Turkmenistan to supply the Indian market with energy resources.