3 Nov 2017 11:57

CNPC offers Turkmenistan cooperation in TAPI, Trans-Caspian gas pipeline projects

ASHGABAT. Nov 3 (Interfax) - China National Petroleum Company (CNPC) is ready to provide assistance to Turkmenistan in building the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Gas Pipeline (TAPI) and the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline, CNPC International Turkmenistan chief Li Shuliang said at the Oil and Gas Turkmenistan-2017 conference in Ashgabat.

"We are ready to help Turkmenistan build the TAPI gas pipeline and to implement THE Trans-Caspian gas pipeline project," he said.

China is a major importer of gas from Turkmenistan, having received a total of 184 billion cubic meters since the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China pipeline entered service in late 2009.

In turn, Turkmengas acting head Myrat Archayev said that three lines of the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China gas pipeline were currently operating, enabling Turkmenistan to export 40 bcm a year to China.

Completion of a planned fourth line will boost capacity in the pipeline to 65 bcm a year. This line will be laid on a new route: Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan-China.

Archayev also pointed out that the TAPI project is being carried out at a most intensive pace.

In addition, "Turkmenistan, Turkey and the EU countries are working on the project to build the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline, which will ensure long-term, reliable supplies of natural gas to Turkish and European markets, if of course the interested parties reach the corresponding agreements," Archayev said.