Preparation of Trans-Caspian pipeline feasibility study should begin soon

Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Nov.18 / Trend, H. Hasanov /

A framework agreement between Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and the EU on the Trans-Caspian pipeline can significantly bring access of the Turkmen gas to Europe closer, Brigitte Bichler, Senior Project Manager Nabucco, OMV Gas & Power GmbH, said at the Oil and Gas Conference in Ashgabat.

"The completion of the framework agreement on support between Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and the EU will be decisive and promote agreement for future decisions," she said.

Ms. Bichler said "Turkmenistan, the EU and the commercial companies' joint efforts will enable the Turkmen gas exports to Europe."

The representative of the Austrian OMV, which is a shareholder of the Nabucco project, stressed that work on the preparation of the feasibility study on the Trans-Caspian pipeline should begin as soon as possible.
Ms. Bichler said 2012 will be decisive for the Southern Corridor.

She went on: 'The implementation of the Trans-Caspian pipeline is legally possible and the project's commercial viability is under evaluation."

The Trans-Caspian gas pipeline which runs for about 300 km is planned to be laid from Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan's coast, where it will be connected to the Southern Gas Corridor.

Turkmenistan's talks with the European Union and other countries on the construction of the pipeline have been held since the late 1990s.

The South Corridor is a priority EU energy project diversifying energy supply routes and sources and increasing security. It includes the Nabucco gas pipeline, TAP and ITGI (Turkey-Greece-Italy pipeline).