Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Jan. 12 /. Trend H. Hasanov /
Turkmen oil and gas industry has seen a number of personnel changes made by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the Turkmen government reported.
By president's decree Kakageldi Abdyllaev is appointed the Chairman of Turkmengaz state concern. He previously served as Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.
By another decree, Muhammetnur Halylov has been appointed the new Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of Turkmenistan.
The former head of Turkmengaz Sahetmyrad Mammedov is dismissed "for the shortcomings in the work".
Turkmenistan is one of the key suppliers of natural gas in the Caspian region to China, Russia and Iran. Amongst the discussed projects are additional gas pipeline to Russia (the Caspian gas pipeline - through Kazakhstan), to Europe (Nabucco - by the Caspian Sea through Azerbaijan) and to India (Trans-Afghan pipeline through Pakistan).
Turkmengaz implements the following activities: the development of gas and gas condensate fields, gas and gas condensate production, processing of natural gas, transportation of gas, gas condensate and LPG, export of gas, as well as gas distribution within the country.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of Turkmenistan provides centralized management of field development and rational use of mineral resources, as well as implementation of the unified state policy in this area.
Alongside, the Ministry is responsible for undertaking analytical work and preparation of long-term plans as well as programs for the development of oil and gas sector. The Ministry coordinates activities and determines the strategy of oil and gas complex.