East–West pipeline
Encyclopedia
The East–West pipeline is a planned natural gas
pipeline
in Turkmenistan
. It will carry natural gas from gasfields in eastern Turkmenistan to the coast of Caspian Sea
across the southern part of the country.
and run to the Belek-1 compressor station at the western branch of the Central Asia – Center gas pipeline in Balkan Province
. From there, gas could be transported to Russia or, when constructed, through the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline
to Azerbaijan
and further to Europe. In addition to export, the pipeline will supply the central and Caspian region of Turkmenistan. The pipeline will largely follow the route of existing pipelines. It would create a system connecting all the major gas fields of Turkmenistan.
. The main designated contractor was Zarubezhneftegaz, a subsidiary of Gazprom. However, on 27 March 2009 after tensions between Russia and Turkmenistan over gas supplies from Turkmenistan to Russia, Turkmenistan launched an international tender for the pipeline. Over 70 companies expressed their interest to participate in the project. In May 2010 it was announced that Turkmenistan will build the pipeline on its own.
, Yashlar, and Minara fields. Length of the pipeline will be around 800 – and it will have a capacity of 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. The pipeline will be built by Türkmennebitgazgurlushyk and would be owned and operated by Türkmengaz
. Construction to be start in June 2010 and to be completed by June 2015.
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....
in Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan , formerly also known as Turkmenia is one of the Turkic states in Central Asia. Until 1991, it was a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic . Turkmenistan is one of the six independent Turkic states...
. It will carry natural gas from gasfields in eastern Turkmenistan to the coast of Caspian Sea
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...
across the southern part of the country.
Route
The pipeline will start from the Shatlyk compressor station at the eastern branch of the Central Asia – Center gas pipeline in Mary ProvinceMary Province
Mary Province is one of the welayatlar of Turkmenistan. It is in the south-east of the country, bordering Afghanistan. Its capital is the city of Mary. Its area is and population 1,480,400...
and run to the Belek-1 compressor station at the western branch of the Central Asia – Center gas pipeline in Balkan Province
Balkan Province
Balkan Province is one of the Welayat of Turkmenistan. It is in the far west of the country, bordering Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, and Iran. Its capital is Balkanabat, formerly known as Nebit Dag. It has an area of 139,270 square kilometers and a population of approximately 553,500...
. From there, gas could be transported to Russia or, when constructed, through the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline
Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline
The Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline is a proposed submarine pipeline between Türkmenbaşy in Turkmenistan, and Baku in Azerbaijan. According to some proposals it will also include a connection between the Tengiz Field in Kazakhstan, and Türkmenbaşy...
to Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
and further to Europe. In addition to export, the pipeline will supply the central and Caspian region of Turkmenistan. The pipeline will largely follow the route of existing pipelines. It would create a system connecting all the major gas fields of Turkmenistan.
History
In 2007–2008, Russia and Turkmenistan negotiated construction of the East–West pipeline to supply the planned Caspian Coastal pipeline, an extension of the Central Asia – Center gas pipeline system. The pipeline was to be built in cooperation with the Russian gas company GazpromGazprom
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...
. The main designated contractor was Zarubezhneftegaz, a subsidiary of Gazprom. However, on 27 March 2009 after tensions between Russia and Turkmenistan over gas supplies from Turkmenistan to Russia, Turkmenistan launched an international tender for the pipeline. Over 70 companies expressed their interest to participate in the project. In May 2010 it was announced that Turkmenistan will build the pipeline on its own.
Description
The pipeline will be mainly supplied from the South Ýolöten – Osman, DauletabadDauletabad gas field
The Dauletabad Gas Field is a large natural gas field located in the Amu-Darya Basin, Ahal province, Turkmenistan. It is located in the vicinity of the Turkmenistan–Iran border, and is named after the Dowlatabad settlement across the border in Iran...
, Yashlar, and Minara fields. Length of the pipeline will be around 800 – and it will have a capacity of 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. The pipeline will be built by Türkmennebitgazgurlushyk and would be owned and operated by Türkmengaz
Türkmengaz
Türkmengaz is the national gas company of Turkmenistan. It is the largest gas company in Central Asia. The chairman of the company is Nury Muhammedov....
. Construction to be start in June 2010 and to be completed by June 2015.
See also
- Central Asia – China gas pipeline
- Dauletabad–Sarakhs–Khangiran pipelineDauletabad–Sarakhs–Khangiran pipelineThe Dauletabad–Sarakhs–Khangiran pipeline is a natural gas pipeline from the Dauletabad gas field in Turkmenistan to Khangiran in Iran, where it is connected with the Iran Gas Trunkline system. It is significant as it allows the diversification of Turkmenistan's gas export routes, doubling the...
- Korpezhe–Kurt Kui pipeline
- Nabucco pipelineNabucco PipelineThe Nabucco pipeline is a proposed natural gas pipeline from Erzurum in Turkey to Baumgarten an der March in Austria diversifying natural gas suppliers and delivery routes for Europe. The pipeline attempts to lessen European dependence on Russian energy...