Turkmenistan Completes East-West Gas Pipeline

Turkmenistan on Wednesday announced completion of the East-West pipeline natural gas pipeline.

While addressing a ceremony at Belek town close to the Caspian, country’s President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov said the purpose of the construction of the pipeline, which has a capacity of 30 bcm per year, was to transport gas from central and eastern regions to the western region of the country, reported state news agency TDH.

Berdymukhamedov emphasised that the importance of the 800-kilometre-long gas pipeline goes beyond national boundaries. The project is designed to support international cooperation in the energy sector, he said.

Turkmenistan is looking for markets for its gas beyond China. The Caspian pipeline could deliver gas to Azerbaijan and then to Europe. The country is also eyeing markets such as Iran, Pakistan and India.

The much delayed TAPI gas pipeline project was formally inaugurated last Sunday, December 13, 2015. The ground breaking ceremony, which was held in Mary in the southeastern part of Turkmenistan, was attended by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani along with Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian Vice President Muhammad Hamid Ansari.