Turkmenistan believes that the realization of pipeline projects along
the seabed of the Caspian Sea requires only agreements with countries
owning the sea sections through which the pipeline will go, Trend
reports, citing local media.
The newspaper Neutral Turkmenistan says that the president added that
realization of such projects is only possible if provided by the
fulfilment of international ecological norms and standards. President
Berdimuhamedov said that Hazar is the only water location for which
all Caspian states are responsible.
After the summit on November 18 Berdimuhamedov ordered detailed study
of Caspian problems and development of efficient partnership in the
region.
The Vatan newspaper cited the president, saying that the legal status
of the Caspian should only be determined in a consensus of the sides
and optimal balance of interests, basing on the norms of the
international law.
Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Iran share the
resource-rich Caspian Sea. After the collapse of the Soviet Union the
sea has been needing a new legal status.
The European Union purchases Turkmen gas resources. Only Russia, Iran
and Qatar can provide more gas than Turkmenistan. The Trans-Caspian
pipeline project is considered a perspective project to link
Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan and give access to the European market
through Turkey.
The project is often associated with Nabucco. Investments into Nabucco
rose after oil and gas companies from USA and the West started
entering the Turkmen market, experts say. ExxonMobil has recently
opened an office in Turkmenistan. Chevron, Total plan to sign deals on
development of the Turkmen sector of the Caspian. Germany"s RWE is a
shareholder of Nabucco.
Western observers said that construction of the East-West gas pipeline
boosted the process. It will connect the Eloten field in the eastern
coast. Ashkhabad declared that up to 40 billion cubic meters of gas
can be provided for Nabucco, including resources from Eloten and the
Turkmen part of the Caspian, where Malaysia"s Petronas is operating.
Recent estimates of Eloten, announced by Turkmengeologia have reached
21 trillion cubic meters of gas, making it one of the top five largest
gas reserves.
