Trans-Caspian gas pipeline prospects becoming clearer
By Aygun Badalova
The prospects of the Trans-Caspian pipeline project, providing
for the delivery of Turkmenistan’s gas to European markets, are
becoming increasingly clear.
At least, there is now no need to doubt the interests of all
players of the project in its implementation.
This, in particular, is true for the EU and Turkmenistan.
Last week, the EU made a clear statement about its intention to
ensure the Turkmen gas supplies to European markets, and to provide
a legal basis in the near future for the realization of these
deliveries.
Today, Turkmenistan’s Oil and Mineral Resources Ministry issued a
message saying that the country, taking into account the
substantial natural gas reserves and the possibility of developing
the export pipeline infrastructure, will be fully able to provide
European market with necessary gas volumes.
The country, in particular, wants to provide the European market
with supplies of 10 to 30 billion cubic meters of gas per year.
However, the timeframes for realization of these plans hasn’t been
mentioned.
At the same time, Turkmenistan expresses enough optimism about the
prospects for the implementation of the Trans-Caspian pipeline.
Today, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan have every opportunity to
implement this project within the bilateral activities, according
to the Turkmen side.
Currently, the main export directions for the supply of Turkmen gas
are Russia, Iran and China. Most recently, Russia expressed
intention to reduce the import of Central Asian, in particular, the
Turkmen fuel in 2015. Naturally, at the end of the day, the volumes
of Turkmen gas, rejected by Russia, will not be left without a
market, since China is always open for additional supplies.
Nevertheless, Turkmenistan is well aware of the advantages of
diversifying the export routes. If there is such an opportunity,
why not take advantage of it? All the more so, we are talking about
the European market which is attractive enough in terms of the
long-term gas supplies.
The demand for gas and dependence on the fuel import will grow in
EU countries. These countries have a fairly well-developed
infrastructure, and on the horizon is the creation of European
energy union, which will open up markets for new gas suppliers even
more.
The largest field in the south-east of the country with estimated
reserves of 26.2 trillion cubic meters can become a resource base
for Turkmen gas supplies via the Trans-Caspian pipeline.
Exploration, which continues on this super-giant field, confirms
further growth of its reserves, according to the statements of the
Turkmen side.
Intensification of efforts by the EU to ensure the supply of
Turkmen fuel, as well as the strong position of Turkmenistan on
this issue can become a good impetus and mark a new stage in the
implementation of the Trans-Caspian pipeline project, which had to
acquire concrete shape long ago.
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