Central Asia-China gas pipeline

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The Central Asia-China gas pipeline (known also as Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline) is a planned natural gas pipeline to transport natural gas from Central Asia to Xinjiang in China. It is expected that Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan will deliver their natural gas to China through this pipeline.

Contents

[edit] History

The Central Asia-China gas pipeline idea was firstly presented as the Kazakhstan-China gas pipeline, which was to follow to the Kazakhstan-China oil pipeline. In June 2003, during Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Kazakhstan, agreements to expedite the appraisal of the project were signed.[1] Following to this, KazMunayGas and PetroChina started feasibility study of the pipeline project. At the same time China continued negotiations with other Central Asian countries. On 3 April 2006 China and Turkmenistan signed a framework agreement on the pipeline construction and long-term gas supply.[2] In June 2007 during his visit to China, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow signed an accord to speed up implementation of the Turkmen-Chinese gas pipeline project.[3] On 30 April 2007 , Uzbekistan and China signed an agreement regarding the construction and exploitation of the pipeline's Uzbekistan section.[4] In July 2007, it was announced that Turkmenistan will join original Kazakhstan-China pipeline project.[5] On 8 November 2007, Kazakhstan's oil company KazMunayGas signed an agreement with the China National Petroleum Corporation on principles of future work on the pipeline.[6]

[edit] Technical features

If constructed, the whole pipeline will be about 7,000 kilometres (4,300 mi) long, of which 188 kilometres (117 mi) will be Turkmen section, 530 kilometres (330 mi) Uzbek section and 4,500 kilometres (2,800 mi) Chinese section.[7] The first stage of the pipeline would be completed in 2009. The second stage, adding second pipe and increasing capacity up to 30 bcm of natural gas annually, is projected to be completed in 2011.[8] It will be supplied from the Karachaganak, Tengiz and Kashagan gas fields in Kazakhstan, as well from the gas fields of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The pipeline is expected to cost US$7.3 billion.[9]

[edit] Possible route

The exact pipeline route has not been released.[10] It expected that the pipeline would start from gas fields on the right bank of Amu Darya in Turkmenistan. The pipeline will enter Uzbekistan in Olot and will then run across Uzbekistan to southern Kazakhstan through the existing the Bukhara-Ural pipeline or the prolonged Bukhara-Tashkent-Bishkek-Almaty pipeline.[3][11] From Kazakhstan the new pipeline will run to Alashankou in China, where it will be connected to the West-East Gas Pipeline. There are also considerations to construct a new gas pipeline from Ishim in Russia's western Siberia to Alashankou through Astana and Karaganda or a new gas pipeline from Chelkar in western Kazakhstan through Kyzyl-Orda to Shymkent where it would connect with the Bukhara-Tashkent-Bishkek-Almaty pipeline.[11]

[edit] Construction

On 30 August 2007, Turkmenistan's media reported that the construction of the 188 kilometres (117 mi) long Turkmen section of the pipeline has begun.[7] This section will be built by Stroytransgaz, a subsidiary of Gazprom.[12] The Uzbek section will be built by Asia Trans Gas, a joint venture of Uzbekneftegas and CNPC.[8] The Kazkh section will be built by the joint venture of CNPC and KazMunayGas.[13]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "China, Kazakhstan Discuss Cross-border Gas Pipeline", China Daily, 2004-08-25. Retrieved on 2007-07-27. 
  2. ^ Daniel Kimmage. "Central Asia: Turkmenistan-China Pipeline Project Has Far-Reaching Implications", Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, 2006-04-10. Retrieved on 2007-07-27. 
  3. ^ a b "Analysis: Turkmen Gas Deal Extends Chinese Influence", Downstream Today, 2007-07-26. Retrieved on 2007-07-27. 
  4. ^ "Uzbekistan and China to build gas pipeline", Caucaz.com, 2007-05-01. Retrieved on 2007-07-27. 
  5. ^ "Turkmenistan to join China, Kazakhstan pipeline project - KazMunaiGas EP CEO", Forbes, 2007-07-04. Retrieved on 2007-07-27. 
  6. ^ Maria Golovnina. "Kazakhstan, China agree to press ahead with pipeline", Reuters, 2007-11-08. Retrieved on 2008-03-15. 
  7. ^ a b "Turkmen break ground on China pipe", Upstream Online, 2007-08-30. Retrieved on 2007-09-09. 
  8. ^ a b "Uzbek joins CNPC in pipeline deal", Upstream Online, 2008-04-14. Retrieved on 2008-04-19. 
  9. ^ "China National Petroleum subsidiaries to pay billions for Central Asia gas pipeline", The China Post, 2007-12-30. Retrieved on 2008-06-01. 
  10. ^ Isabel Gorst; Mure Dickie. "China in gas deal with Turkmenistan", Financial Times, 2007-07-18. Retrieved on 2007-07-27. 
  11. ^ a b Mehmet Ögütçü (2006-10-02). "Kazakhstan's expanding cross-border gas links. Implications for Europe, Russia, China and other CIS countries. Presented at the Windsor Energy Group’s Regional Pipelines Roundtable, Almaty" (PDF). The Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy at the University of Dundee. 
  12. ^ Marat Gurt. "Russian company wins Turkmen China pipeline tender", Reuters, 2008-02-19. Retrieved on 2008-03-15. 
  13. ^ "Beijing digs in with Kazakh pipes", Upstream Online, 2008-04-09. Retrieved on 2008-04-19. 
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