Today Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Management Committee of Gazprom, and Yolly Gurbanmuradov, Deputy Prime-Minister of Turkmenistan, signed an Agreement on sci-tech cooperation between Gazprom JSC, the State trading corporation (GTC) Turkmenneftegaz and GC Turkmengaz in developing the Central Asia – Center gas transmission system. At the same time, GTC Turkmenneftegaz and Gazexport signed a contract under which in 2004-2006 the latter company will deliver technological equipment and services in exchange for Turkmenian gas.

According to the Agreement, a complex program of upgrading existing infrastructure, extending the Middle Asia – Center gas transmission system and building new gas transportation facilities should be developed. Under the terms of the Agreement, an inspection of the Turkmen part of the system was carried out and new, most efficient gas transmission routes were developed.

The present document specifies individual provisions of the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkmenistan on cooperation in the gas sector, signed by Vladimir Putin and Saparmurat Niyazov on April 10, 2003. In accordance with the Agreement and the long-term contract concluded between Gazexport and Turkmenneftegaz, Turkmen gas supplies to Russia are set to start in 2004 in the volume of 5–6 bcm/y. From 2009 onwards, Turkmenistan will annually deliver 70 – 80 bcm gas to Russia.

Referece:

Natural gas proved reserves in Turkmenistan are estimated at 2.86 trln m3. Annual production of natural gas reaches approximately 60 bcm. Domestic gas consumption does not exceed 10–12 bcm, and the rest of gas produced goes for export.

Turkmen gas is delivered through the system of transit gas pipelines Central Asia – Center crossing the territory of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Russia. Gazprom is responsible for Turkmen gas transition through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and gas transmission in Russia.

Investments required for the Central Asia gas transmission system development, including construction of facilities in Russia, is estimated at US$ 2 billion.

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