An important aspect of Turkmenistan's energy policy is diversifying routes of supplies of natural gas to major markets of Eurasia, where there is a steady growth in energy demand, the president of the country, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, told a recent government meeting, the Turkmen government reports on Saturday.
"Today Turkmenistan is consistently implementing its energy strategy, whose important aspects are the increase in production, processing and exporting of natural gas, and diversifying supply routes to the major markets of Eurasia, where there is a steady growth in energy demand," Berdymukhamedov explained.
According to him, Ashkhabad builds broad international cooperation in the energy sector on the principles of equality and mutual benefit, Trend reports.
"This will accelerate the integration of the oil and gas industry of Turkmenistan into the international energy system and effectively address the issues in the field of universal energy security," the President added.
Berdimuhamedov emphasized that Turkmenistan, possessing rich natural resources, considers them to be an important factor in the dynamic development of the national economy and prosperity of the Turkmen people. The strategy of accelerated development of the Turkmen fuel and energy sector is based on proven and promising huge reserves of hydrocarbons existing in the depths of the country.
Also presented at the meeting were a report on the state of affairs in the fuel and energy complex and the results of the international conference 'Turkmenistan-Europe: prospects for cooperation', held March 14-15 in Berlin.
According to the information, this forum, attended by representatives of major international oil companies, "has shown great interest from the global oil and gas business in establishing long-term partnership with Turkmenistan, which has the world's largest reserves of hydrocarbon resources."
Turkmenistan, according to a report by British Petroleum (BP), has the world's fourth largest reserves of natural gas after Russia, Iran and Qatar. At this stage the country has the ability to export natural gas to China, Iran and Russia.
The planned gas pipelines from Turkmenistan are an additional pipeline to Russia (Caspian gas pipeline - through Kazakhstan), Europe (Trans-Caspian gas pipeline – a part of Nabucco or AGRI - on the Caspian Sea through Azerbaijan) and India (Trans-Afghan gas pipeline via Pakistan).
In accordance with the Program of development of Turkmenistan’s oil and gas industry, it is planned to increase annual production of natural gas up to 230 billion cubic meters by 2030, much of it intended for export.
