In the opinion of KazTransOil's head, "optimal way for coming of our volumes of oil to the world markets - is building of oil pipeline to Iran"

/Kazakhstan today, November 6, 02/ - "The most optimal way for coming of our oil to the world markets is building go oil pipeline to Iran", - such the opinion told, answering the question of KZ-today agency's correspondent, the general director of KazTransOil CJSC Askar Smankulov, having marked, this was his "own opinion". Smankulov noted that in order to build pipeline towards Iran there should be made decision at Government level. "If there is Government's task, I don't think, that it ( pipeline building to Iran) will be difficult", - he marked. KazTransOil CJSC's general director also informed that "there was preliminary agreement about possible transportation of Kazakhstan oil towards China". However, he marked, "there are some accompanying factors in this matter", in particular, "it is necessary that China is able to take so much oil". The grounds for realization of the oil pipeline project Western Kazakhstan - China are agreement about cooperation in the sphere of oil and gas dated September 24 of 1997 between Government of Kazakhstan and China, general agreement about projects of fields development and oil pipelines building dated September 24 of 1997 between Chinese national oil and gas corporation and ministry of energy and natural resources of Kazakhstan, agreement about joint development of TES of Kazakhstan-Chinese oil pipeline dated June 13 of 1998 between KazTransOil CJSC and Chinese national oil and gas corporation. At present there have been prepared TES, which was made by Central institute on planning of oil jointly with SRPI of "KaspiiMunaiGas" (Atyrau). [2002-06-11]