Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Jan. 20 / Trend H. Hasanov /
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited the gas compressor station Belek, which is an important infrastructural object and the end point of the East-West main gas pipeline, the Altyn Asyr national TV channel reported on their website.
The main line must be commissioned by mid-2015.
The article said that the president is acquainted with the construction of this pipeline beginning from gas compressor station Shatlyk to the western direction through Mary and Akhal provinces. It will be connected to gas compressor station Belek in the Balkan province.
Thus, it is the main gas pipeline linking eastern Turkmenistan, and having the largest natural gas reserves within the rapidly developing central and Caspian regions of the country. The main part of the pipeline will be laid across the sands of the Karakum desert.
The Neutralniy Turkmenistan newspaper reported that the pipeline will provide consumers with fuel domestically, and create additional opportunities for further diversification of export gas supplies to major international markets, including the European direction.
The project was launched on May 31 at the Shatlyk gas compressor station.
They are the biggest fields with enormous proven reserves of natural gas on the territory of Mary province. They are Dovletabat, Malay, Yashlar, and the unique South Yoloten Osman Field. According to the latest estimates of the Turkmen geologists, it has more than 21 trillion cubic meters of gas.
Seven powerful gas compressor stations will be built for clear and uninterrupted operation of new gas transmission pipeline, which will run through three provinces. The estimated cost of construction of the pipeline is more than $2 billion. The necessary work was conducted. All the conditions were taken into account.
The head of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso expressed his full support to the commitment of Turkmenistan to diversify export routes for natural gas supplies.