Turkmenistan Becomes China’s Biggest Strategic Partner In Gas Provision
By Huseyn Hasanov
Among the leading oil and gas powers, Turkmenistan has first become a major strategic partner of China in natural fuel provision, the Ministry of Oil and Mineral Resources of Turkmenistan said.
“The Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China gas pipeline is a model of equal and effective cooperation of four countries covered by this energy-main,” the statement said.
“More than 125 billion cubic meters of gas have been transported through the pipeline since its commissioning in late 2009 till August 2015,” the ministry said. “This is more than 35 percent of the total volumes of natural gas purchased by China. This shows the importance of the Trans-Asian gas line in ensuring energy security of China.”
Currently, Turkmengaz State Concern and China’s CNPC supply the largest volumes of natural gas via the pipeline to China. CNPC develops the fields of the Bagtyyarlyk contract area on the right bank of the Amu Darya in a production sharing agreement.
It is also reported that at present, the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline system consists of three branches with a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters a year.
Reportedly, six compressor stations and 10 compressor units operate along the pipeline’s route.
The volume of natural gas supply significantly increased after commissioning the third branch of the pipeline in 2014.
“Moreover, it was noted that the operation of the pipeline system is stable and no emergency situation was recorded there in 2015,” said the message. “All the sides timely carry out the repair work and technical maintenance on the route.”
It is planned to supply gas in this direction in 2015-2016. The supply volume will comply with the contract obligations of the Chinese side.
Ashgabat has recently hosted the 13th meeting of the Coordination Committee on operation of the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China pipeline. The meeting participants discussed current issues related to the transportation of natural gas and operation of the Trans-Asia pipeline system in 2015-2016.
