BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry has considered two options for gas supply to the northern and eastern regions of the country, Minister Bolat Akchulakov said at the Kazakh Senate’s meeting, Trend reports via the Senate.
"Due to the sharp increase in domestic gas consumption in recent years and the need to modernize the gas transmission system especially for the construction of new networks to the north and east, the ministry, together with QazaqGaz, is updating the general scheme,” Akchulakov noted.
“We are now considering two possible options of gas supply to the northern regions and East Kazakhstan. The first, the fastest, and probably the easiest to implement is gas supply from Russia due to the fact that the northern and eastern territories are located directly near Russia," he explained.
According to the minister, gas consumption in East Kazakhstan, North Kazakhstan and Pavlodar regions will amount to nearly 2.7 billion cubic meters per year at the first stage.
"For gas supply under this option, routes starting from Barnaul, Rubtsovsk, then to Semey and Ust-Kamenogorsk, with a branch to Pavlodar city will be needed. Tentatively, length of the first line will be nearly 1,000 km,” he noted. “The length of the second line - Ishim, Petropavlovsk, Kokshetau - Nur-Sultan, that is, its connection with the "Saryarka" gas system, will be approximately 644 km.”
“The Russian side is carrying out calculations, and we expect to receive them during May and probably by the end of the second quarter, more specific answers on price issues, technical capabilities," the minister said.
According to him, preliminary negotiations have already been held in Moscow.
"We are holding technical negotiations. The first option has also a sub-option, which involves gas supply through the supply of liquefied natural gas. This option also exists, and we are considering it, but this option will require the construction of a significant infrastructure. Due to the fact that the gas is compressed, it will need to be decompleted. Accordingly, this will require additional investments," the minister said.