Kazakhstan wants to double capacity of gas pipeline Middle Asia-Center

/REUTERS, Almaty, Oljas Auezov, October 7, 03/ - Kazakhstan plans to increase capacity of the main central Asian gas pipeline Middle Asia-Center (MAC) two times to 90 bn. cubic meters a year and wants European bank for reconstruction and development (EBRD) to be one of investors of the project, which costs $1.5 bn., said a representative of the state company Kaztransgas. Deputy director of corporate development and indicative planning department of Kaztransgas Azat Bekturov said to journalists in the lobbies of the opened on Tuesday annual oil exhibition KIOGE-2003, that basing of investments into the project would be ready by May of 2004, and the expansion of the gas pipeline was planned for 10 years and might cost about $1.5 bn. Mainly Turkmen gas is pumped through the gas pipeline. Lately Russian concern Gasprom significantly activated in the Central Asia and signed 25- year agreement with Turkmenia, according to which since 2005 it will import up to 10 bn., and since the year 2009 - from 70 ro 80 bn. cubic meters of Turkmen gas. The existing capacities of MAC will not be enough for supplies to Russia and to Ukraine. This year, according to Bekturov's words, Turkmenia will pump through the gas pipelineу 37 bn. cubic meters, mainly to Ukraine, and total capacity of MAC is now equal to about 45-50 bn. cubic meters a year. Turkmenia gave initiative to build a new gas pipeline roundabout Caspian sea for export of "big gas". The branch may have been built by the year 2007 and is to pass through the territory of Kazakhstan. Astana assumes it's hardly probably without its participation. "Probably, we all know from the press that Gasprom separately from Kaztransgas negotiates with Turkmenistan about a new gas pipeline. But we are sure.. it will not be done without us", - said Bekturov. According to his words, now Gasprom does not take part in the discussion of the project of expansion of the existing capacities of Middle Asia-Center, which are in Kazakhstan ownership and managed by daughter company of Kaztransgas. He added that Kaztransgas intended to build for borrowed funds and wanted EBRD to be one of investors. "We have aim to work with EBRD, we hope for their big contribution to this business", - he said. Kazakhstan itself may become a large supplier of gas in the region in the nearest future. The next year, according to Bekturov's words, the country's largest enterprise Tengizshevroil and sale JV of the state company Kazmunaigas with Gasprom - Kazrosgas - will pump for export 5.0 bn. cubic meters. Meanwhile by the year 2015 Kazakhstan wants to extract 60-70 bn. cubic meters of gas and export about 35 bn. cubic meters a year. [2003-10-07]