Lukoil head speaks of readiness to develop cooperation with Turkmenistan in upstream, petrochemicals
ASHGABAT. Sept 10 (Interfax) - Lukoil head Vagit Alekperov has informed Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow about development of oil and gas fields in the Caspian and spoken of the company's readiness to broaden business and partnership ties with Turkmenistan both in upstream and in production of finished products of the petro- and gas chemicals sectors, the Turkmenistan State News Agency reported.
The Russian oil company is interested in cooperation with Turkmenistan in the fields of hydrocarbon production and processing and petrochemicals, Alekperov said at a meeting with Berdimuhamedow in Turkmenbashi.
According to the report, Berdimuhamedow said that the oil and gas sector was one of the most important spheres for the economic relationship of Turkmenistan and Russia, and that the former was always ready for interaction and discussion of counteroffers with well-known foreign companies.
During the meeting, Alekperov and Berdimuhamedow discussed implementation of joint projects and long-term interaction on a basis that is economically advantageous for both parties.
In Turkmenbashi, Berdimuhamedow launched construction of new power units at the Turkmenbashi oil refineries complex. Alekperov and Ahmet Calik, head of Turkish company Calik Holding, took part in the ceremony.
In addition to the equipment of two gas turbine power plants with a design capacity of 70 MW, the power plant currently in operation at the oil refineries complex will be reconstructed. Turkey's Calik Enerji, part of Calik Holding, is implementing the project and should finish the work within 18 months.
Speaking during the facility's groundbreaking ceremony, Berdimuhamedow set out the main tasks of the Turkmen fuel and energy complex: exploration and commercial development of new oil and gas fields, diversification of energy supplies abroad, switching production to innovative technologies, and growth of volumes and expansion of the range of finished products.
