Russia, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan signed an agreement today for the construction of the Prikaspiisky natural gas pipeline along the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea, further strengthening Russia’s grip on the region’s oil & gas exports:
The parties plan to construct the pipeline along the Caspian coast — 360 km on Turkmenistan’s territory and about 150 km through Kazakhstan, in order to link it with the existing Central Asia-Centre pipeline on the Russia-Kazakhstan border. The new gas pipeline will increase the existing capacity to export Turkmenistan’s gas to Russia by 20 billion cubic metres. Creating a Trans-Caspian pipeline system and reconstructing the Central Asia-Centre pipeline system will enable the parties to increase annual deliveries of Turkmenistan’s gas to 80 billion cubic metres. The presidents of Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan signed the Joint Declaration on Constructing a Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline on 12 May 2007 at a meeting in Turkmenbashi.
Not only has Russia scored another win in the so-called “New Great Game”, but the English translators for the Kremlin website have hijacked the name of the United States backed pipeline fantasy project (Trans-Caspian Pipeline) and made it their own. Well played, Russia.
Related: NYTimes – Central Asia on Front Line in Energy Battle
From Paul:
Hmm… and what about an european project to fullfill the Baku- Tbilissi- Ceychan pipeline?`Russians have still influence in the reagion although americans and europeans are trying to gain ground down there.
Very interesting article, thank you i enjoyed to read it.
WBR
Paul.