QazaqGaz, Gazprom discuss building pipeline to China via Kazakhstan
The Kazakh energy company offers a new transit route via eastern Kazakhstan to China.
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A worker checks the pressure of pumps at an oil-pumping station in the Uzen oil and gas field in the Mangistau Region of Kazakhstan, on November 13, 2021. (Reuters)
Kazakh energy company, QazaqGaz, has proposed to Gazprom the construction of a new gas pipeline from Russia to China, which would run through Kazakhstan's east and contribute to the country's gas supply, QazaqGaz Deputy Board Chairman Arman Kasenov said on Friday.
During a shareholder meeting, Kasenov said that "with regard to the gasification of [Kazakhstan's] east, we have suggested that Gazprom consider a new transit route via eastern Kazakhstan [to China], which will cover a number of regions. The issue is being worked out, we have already finished technical and economic calculations."
He added that the proposal was under Gazprom's consideration.
The gasification of the country's north and east with its own gas resources is impossible in the near future, according to Kasemov, who added that the company was "counting on the newly created conditions for the possible import of Russian gas."
Read next: First supply of Kazakh oil to Berlin may reach 20,000 tonnes: Ministry
Two days ago, the Kazakh Energy Ministry Bolat Akchulakov announced that Kazakhstan will begin delivering oil to Germany via Russia's Druzhba pipeline in the upcoming few days.
The Minister expressed optimism that the first batch of oil would be pumped via the pipeline as early as Wednesday. "I really hope it [oil] goes today. If yesterday the procedures were finished and results were summarized," Akchulakov said.
He further added that there were no issues with the start of shipments.
Earlier this month, Russia and China signed a bilateral agreement on gas supplies via the Far East route, which included the construction of a cross-border section across the Ussuri River to the Chinese city of Hulin.
