Central Asia-China gas pipeline
Encyclopedia
The Central Asia–China gas pipeline (known also as Turkmenistan–China gas pipeline) is a natural gas
pipeline
from Central Asia
to Xinjiang
in the People's Republic of China
.
. In June 2003, during China's President Hu Jintao
's visit to Kazakhstan, agreements to expedite the appraisal of the project were signed. Following these agreements, KazMunayGas
and PetroChina
started a 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. In June 2007, during his visit to China, Turkmeni President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow signed an accord to speed up implementation of the Turkmeni-Chinese gas pipeline project. On 30 April 2007, Uzbekistan and China signed an agreement on the construction and exploitation of the pipeline's Uzbekistan section. In July 2007, it was formally announced that Turkmenistan will join original Kazakhstan-China pipeline project. 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.
On 30 August 2007, the construction of the 188 kilometres (116.8 mi) long Turkmen section of the pipeline begun. This section was built by Stroytransgaz
, a subsidiary of Gazprom
. Main contractors were China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau, China Petroleum Engineering and Construction Corporation, and Zeromax. Construction of the Uzbek section started on 30 June 2008. It was built by Asia Trans Gas, a joint venture of Uzbekneftegas and CNPC
. Construction works of the Kazakh section started on 9 July 2008 and the first stage was finished in July 2009. It was built by Asian Gas Pipeline company, a joint venture of CNPC and KazMunayGas
. The main contractors of this section were KazStroyService and China Petroleum Engineering and Construction Corporation. The first of two parallel lines were completed early November 2009 and the second line is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010.
The Kazakh section of the pipeline was inaugurated on 12 December 2009 during China's president Hu Jintao's visit to Kazakhstan. The whole pipeline was inaugurated on 14 December 2009 in a ceremony in Saman-Depe during Hu Jintao's visit to Turkmenistan with the leaders of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
On 13 June 2010 China and Kazakhstan signed an agreement on branch line from Western Kazakhstan.
This amounts to an estimated 50% of China's total 2007 natural gas production.
As far as Turkmenistan goes, the project will help the country diversify its energy exports by delivering gas eastward as opposed to its current deliveries to Russia
and Iran
. Until the inauguration of the pipeline, nearly 70% of Turkmenistan's gas exports transited through Russian pipelines. Central Asia-China gas pipeline is the first pipeline to bring Central Asian natural gas to China and highlights China's quest for Central Asian energy exports. While Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are also considering selling their gas to China, Chinese government already made new moves to penetrate deeper into Central Asian energy sector by lending $3 billion to Turkmenistan to develop the South Iolotan field in 2009 and $10 billion to Kazakhstan to pay for future oil supplies.
to remove high sulfur content of natural gas.
gas fields on the right bank of Amu Darya
in Turkmenistan. It is mainly supplied from Iolotan and Sag Kenar fields. The pipeline enters Uzbekistan in Olot and runs across Uzbekistan to southern Kazakhstan parallel to the existing Bukhara–Tashkent–Bishkek–Almaty pipeline. The pipeline crosses the Kazakhstan–China border at Khorgos
, where it is connected to the second West–East Gas Pipeline.
In Shymkent
, the pipeline will be linked with the 1400 kilometres (869.9 mi) branch line from Beyneu
in western Kazakhstan. It will supply natural gas from the Karachaganak
, Tengiz
and Kashagan
gas fields. The branch line will have a capacity of 15 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. It will be commissioned in 2014.
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
pipeline
Pipeline transport
Pipeline transport is the transportation of goods through a pipe. Most commonly, liquids and gases are sent, but pneumatic tubes that transport solid capsules using compressed air are also used....
from Central Asia
Central Asia
Central Asia is a core region of the Asian continent from the Caspian Sea in the west, China in the east, Afghanistan in the south, and Russia in the north...
to Xinjiang
Xinjiang
Xinjiang is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. It is the largest Chinese administrative division and spans over 1.6 million km2...
in the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
.
History
The initial proposal for Central Asia–China gas pipeline was presented as the Kazakhstan–China gas pipeline, which was to follow along the Kazakhstan-China oil pipelineKazakhstan-China oil pipeline
The Kazakhstan–China oil pipeline is China's first direct oil import pipeline allowing oil import from Central Asia. It runs from Kazakhstan's Caspian shore to Xinjiang in China. The pipeline is owned by the China National Petroleum Corporation and the Kazakh oil company KazMunayGas.-History:The...
. In June 2003, during China's President Hu Jintao
Hu Jintao
Hu Jintao is the current Paramount Leader of the People's Republic of China. He has held the titles of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China since 2002, President of the People's Republic of China since 2003, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission since 2004, succeeding Jiang...
's visit to Kazakhstan, agreements to expedite the appraisal of the project were signed. Following these agreements, KazMunayGas
KazMunayGas
KazMunayGas is the state-owned oil and gas company of Kazakhstan. It was founded in 2002 by merging Kazakhoil and Oil and Gas Transportation.-Subsidiaries:Main subsidiaries of KazMunayGas are:...
and PetroChina
PetroChina
PetroChina Company Limited is a Chinese oil company and is the listed arm of state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation , headquartered in Dongcheng District, Beijing. It is China's biggest oil producer, and was the world's most valuable company by market value as of September 28th 2010...
started a 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. In June 2007, during his visit to China, Turkmeni President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow signed an accord to speed up implementation of the Turkmeni-Chinese gas pipeline project. On 30 April 2007, Uzbekistan and China signed an agreement on the construction and exploitation of the pipeline's Uzbekistan section. In July 2007, it was formally announced that Turkmenistan will join original Kazakhstan-China pipeline project. On 8 November 2007, Kazakhstan's oil company KazMunayGas
KazMunayGas
KazMunayGas is the state-owned oil and gas company of Kazakhstan. It was founded in 2002 by merging Kazakhoil and Oil and Gas Transportation.-Subsidiaries:Main subsidiaries of KazMunayGas are:...
signed an agreement with the China National Petroleum Corporation
China National Petroleum Corporation
China National Petroleum Corporation is a state-owned fuel-producing corporation and the largest integrated oil and gas company in the People's Republic of China...
on principles of future work on the pipeline.
On 30 August 2007, the construction of the 188 kilometres (116.8 mi) long Turkmen section of the pipeline begun. This section was built by Stroytransgaz
Stroytransgaz
OAO Stroytransgaz is a Russian engineering construction company in the field of oil and gas industry. The company was founded in 1990. It was originally a subsidiary of Gazprom, but now controlled by Gennady Timchenko though his Volga Resources SICAV SIF SA fund.-Operations:The company is involved...
, a subsidiary of Gazprom
Gazprom
Open Joint Stock Company Gazprom is the largest extractor of natural gas in the world and the largest Russian company. Its headquarters are in Cheryomushki District, South-Western Administrative Okrug, Moscow...
. Main contractors were China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau, China Petroleum Engineering and Construction Corporation, and Zeromax. Construction of the Uzbek section started on 30 June 2008. It was built by Asia Trans Gas, a joint venture of Uzbekneftegas and CNPC
China National Petroleum Corporation
China National Petroleum Corporation is a state-owned fuel-producing corporation and the largest integrated oil and gas company in the People's Republic of China...
. Construction works of the Kazakh section started on 9 July 2008 and the first stage was finished in July 2009. It was built by Asian Gas Pipeline company, a joint venture of CNPC and KazMunayGas
KazMunayGas
KazMunayGas is the state-owned oil and gas company of Kazakhstan. It was founded in 2002 by merging Kazakhoil and Oil and Gas Transportation.-Subsidiaries:Main subsidiaries of KazMunayGas are:...
. The main contractors of this section were KazStroyService and China Petroleum Engineering and Construction Corporation. The first of two parallel lines were completed early November 2009 and the second line is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010.
The Kazakh section of the pipeline was inaugurated on 12 December 2009 during China's president Hu Jintao's visit to Kazakhstan. The whole pipeline was inaugurated on 14 December 2009 in a ceremony in Saman-Depe during Hu Jintao's visit to Turkmenistan with the leaders of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
On 13 June 2010 China and Kazakhstan signed an agreement on branch line from Western Kazakhstan.
Significance
According to CNPC, the inflow of Turkmen gas will significantly help China in meeting its energy demands and would stabilize the country's overall consumption structure. When in use, the pipeline's deliveries will boost the natural gas proportion of energy consumption of China by an estimated 2%, which will reduce the overall smoke, dust and carbon dioxide emissions.This amounts to an estimated 50% of China's total 2007 natural gas production.
As far as Turkmenistan goes, the project will help the country diversify its energy exports by delivering gas eastward as opposed to its current deliveries to Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. Until the inauguration of the pipeline, nearly 70% of Turkmenistan's gas exports transited through Russian pipelines. Central Asia-China gas pipeline is the first pipeline to bring Central Asian natural gas to China and highlights China's quest for Central Asian energy exports. While Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are also considering selling their gas to China, Chinese government already made new moves to penetrate deeper into Central Asian energy sector by lending $3 billion to Turkmenistan to develop the South Iolotan field in 2009 and $10 billion to Kazakhstan to pay for future oil supplies.
Technical features
The whole pipeline is about 1833 kilometres (1,139 mi) long, of which 188 kilometres (116.8 mi) in Turkmenistan and 530 kilometres (329.3 mi) in Uzbekistan. The diameter of the pipeline is 1067 millimetres (42 in). The first stage of the pipeline was completed in 2009. The second stage, adding second pipe and increasing capacity up to 40 billion cubic meter of natural gas per year, is projected to be completed in 2011. 30 billion cubic meter would be supplied from Turkmenistan and 10 billion cubic meter from Kazakhstan. The pipeline is expected to cost US$7.3 billion. The pipeline project also includes the purification plant at Samand-DepeSaman-Depe Gas Field
Saman-Depe Gas Field is a large natural gas field located in Lebap Province of Turkmenistan. The field belongs to contractual territory Bagtyyarlyk, a group of several fields on the right bank of Amu Darya River the maximum output of which is estimated at 25-30 billion cubic meters per year,...
to remove high sulfur content of natural gas.
Route
The pipeline starts in Saman-Depe carrying natural gas from the BagtyyarlykBagtyýarlyk
Bagtyýarlyk is a large contractual PSA territory consisting of several natural gas fields located in Lebap Province of Turkmenistan. It literally means happiness in Turkmen language...
gas fields on the right bank of Amu Darya
Amu Darya
The Amu Darya , also called Oxus and Amu River, is a major river in Central Asia. It is formed by the junction of the Vakhsh and Panj rivers...
in Turkmenistan. It is mainly supplied from Iolotan and Sag Kenar fields. The pipeline enters Uzbekistan in Olot and runs across Uzbekistan to southern Kazakhstan parallel to the existing Bukhara–Tashkent–Bishkek–Almaty pipeline. The pipeline crosses the Kazakhstan–China border at Khorgos
Khorgos
Khorgas , also known as Huoerguosi, Huocheng, Khorgos, Chorgos and Gorgos, is a Chinese town near the border with Kazakhstan. It is located in Huocheng County in the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang Autonomous Region...
, where it is connected to the second West–East Gas Pipeline.
In Shymkent
Shymkent
Shymkent , formerly known as Chimkent , is the capital city of South Kazakhstan Province, the most populated region in Kazakhstan. It is the third most populous city in Kazakhstan behind Almaty and Astana with a population of 629,600 . A major railroad junction on the Turkestan-Siberia Railway, the...
, the pipeline will be linked with the 1400 kilometres (869.9 mi) branch line from Beyneu
Beyneu
Beyneu is a town in western Kazakhstan, which first began to expand in the 1970s from a village to a city with the discovery of oil in the area. There is a railway station, and further up north in Kasura, there is a Chevron oil plant. The gas pipeline metering station at Beyneu on the border with...
in western Kazakhstan. It will supply natural gas from the Karachaganak
Karachaganak Field
Karachaganak Field is a gas condensate field in Kazakhstan. It is located about 150 km east from the city of Oral in the northwest of Kazakhstan. The field was once a massive Permian and Carboniferous reef complex covering an area . At its largest point the reservoir contains a gas column ...
, Tengiz
Tengiz Field
Tengiz field is an oil and gas field located in northwestern Kazakhstan's low-lying wetlands along the northeast shores of the Caspian Sea...
and Kashagan
Kashagan Field
Kashagan Field is an offshore oil field located in Kazakhstan. The field is situated in the northern part of the Caspian Sea close to the Kazakhstan city of Atyrau. The field was discovered in 2000 and was one of the larger discoveries in that decade, it is estimated that the Kashagan Field has...
gas fields. The branch line will have a capacity of 15 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. It will be commissioned in 2014.
See also
- Kazakhstan–China oil pipeline
- Central Asia – Center gas pipeline system
- Trans-Afghanistan PipelineTrans-Afghanistan PipelineThe Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline is a proposed natural gas pipeline being developed by the Asian Development Bank. The pipeline will transport Caspian Sea natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan into Pakistan and then to India. The abbreviation comes from the first letters of those...
- Energy policy of ChinaEnergy policy of ChinaThe energy policy of the People's Republic of China is a policy decided on by the Central Government with regard to energy and energy resources. The country is currently the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases according to a Dutch research agency. However, China's per capita emissions are...
- Energy security of ChinaEnergy security of ChinaEnergy security of the People's Republic of China concerns the need for the People's Republic of China to guarantee itself and its industries long- term access to sufficient energy and raw materials. China has been endeavoring to sign international agreements and secure such supplies; its energy...
External links
- Chow, Edward, "Central Asia’s Pipelines: Field of Dreams and Reality," in Pipeline Politics in Asia: The Intersection of Demand, Energy Markets, and Supply Routes (National Bureau of Asian ResearchNational Bureau of Asian ResearchThe National Bureau of Asian Research is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research institution based in Seattle, Washington, with a branch office in Washington, D.C. The organization’s mission is to inform and strengthen Asia-Pacific policy...
, 2010) - Kazakhstan's Gas: Export Markets and Export Routes, by Shamil Midkhatovich Yenikeyeff, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, November 2008