Baku, Azerbaijan, May 26
By Elena Kosolapova - Trend:
Turkmenistan's gas fields may become very popular among foreign investors in the near future.
Recently, amid the tensions in relations with Russia, which is the main
Recently, the EU has significantly intensified the negotiations on gas with Turkmenistan. This occurred amid the tension in relations with Russia, a major gas supplier to Europe, and the beginning of the Southern Gas Corridor project, designed to supply the Caspian gas to Europe.
Despite a lack of infrastructure necessary to supply gas from Turkmenistan to Europe, the EU officials have repeatedly stated at the highest level that the EU intends to get Turkmen gas by 2020.
Moreover, the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project is being actively promoted. This gas pipeline must supply Turkmen gas to the South East Asian countries. The leaders of all four countries have repeatedly expressed support for this project. The feasibility study is being worked out. The major international organizations were attracted for the work on the project.
Finally, Turkmenistan is systematically increasing the volumes of contracts for the gas supply to China. And taking into account the growing demand for gas in China, the gas supplies from Turkmenistan to China will continue to grow.
So, the amount of those, willing to get more Turkmen gas, is increasing. But the volumes of Turkmen gas produced today will not be enough for all. It is necessary to develop new deposits and new investments to enter new routes.
The great demand for Turkmen gas and political support for its transportation projects and procurement in all directions can be a good incentive for foreign investors to pay attention to Turkmenistan. In this situation, the compensation for investors has been guaranteed.
Moreover, given the West's political interest in Turkmen gas, one can expect that those investing in Turkmen gas fields will receive certain preferences in the US and Europe. Thus, the major oil and gas developers will get great benefits as a result of doing business in Turkmenistan.
Taking into account the above-mentioned, it seems like it won't be Turkmenistan trying to attract investors, but the opposite - the investors will compete for the favor of the Turkmen leadership.
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Elena Kosolapova is Trend Agency's staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova
