Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, May 21 / Trend H. Hasanov /
The IV International Gas Congress and Exhibition opened in Ashgabat on May 21and will last till May 23, according to the organisers of the event, the State Concern Turkmengaz and the Commerce and Industry Chamber of Turkmenistan with participation of Summit Trade Events (UK).
According to the report, the forum brought together representatives of the world's foremost companies, namely 500 delegates from 32 countries. Among the speakers are representatives from the state oil and gas companies of Turkmenistan and leading international companies in the industry.
The forum's main topics include the super-giant gas field Galkynysh and its commissioning.
Also on the agenda is the role of Turkmenistan as one of the world's leading producers of natural gas, priority areas for investment in the gas sector of Turkmenistan, the interaction and interdependence between gas producing and consuming countries, the prospects for international operators, the rational development of gas reserves of Turkmenistan, drilling and oilfield services, new opportunities for service companies in Turkmenistan, the use of world experience and advanced technology in order to maximize gas recovery, export of Turkmen gas and diversification of export routes and development of infrastructure.
The III International Gas Congress in Turkmenistan held last year was attended by over 400 delegates from 32 countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Belgium, USA, Canada, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Japan, UAE, Indonesia, Iran, Turkey and others.
Turkmenistan is one of the key players in the energy market in the Caspian region. About 70-80 billion cubic meters of gas are being produced here annually. Raw materials have been exported to Russia and Iran for a long time. In 2009, the route was opened to China. Turkmenistan ranks fourth in the world in terms of gas reserves.
According to the State Concern Turkmengeology, 38 oil fields, 82 gas condensate fields and 153 gas fields have been discovered in Turkmenistan, including 142 onshore fields and 11 - on the Caspian shelf. In 2006, the super-giant gas field Southern Yeloten-Osman (present name - Galkinish) located in the Mary velayat (region) was discovered.