14 October 2022.
The former Soviet republic is likely to compete with Russia on the gas market of China.
Turkmenistan may almost double gas exports to China.
Turkmenistan is going to almost double gas exports to China, TASS reports citing local media. Thus, the former Soviet republic can squeeze Russia in this market.
The commissioning of the fourth branch of the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China gas pipeline will increase the supply of Turkmen fuel to China to 65 billion cubic meters per year. So far, the pipeline consists of three lines. Turkmenistan last year supplied about 34 billion cubic meters of gas to China, becoming the largest exporter of this type of fuel to the country. With the commissioning of the fourth line, gas exports to China may soar by 1.9 times.
Also, agreements were reached at the highest level regarding the development of the second stage of the Galkynys field, which serves as one of the raw materials sources of the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline.
In 2023, gas supplies via the Power of Siberia gas pipeline to China are planned at the level of 22 billion cubic meters, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said earlier. The Power of Siberia will reach the declared level of 38 billion cubic meters in 2027, he noted. Previously, it was assumed that it would be possible to ensure supplies in such a volume as early as 2024.
This estimate clearly contradicts to earlier published one: "the connection at the beginning of 2023 of the Kovytka field, near Lake Baikal, to the Power of Siberia will contribute significantly to this increase. In 2025 - the year the pipeline will reach maximum capacity - more than 61 billion m³ of Russian gas will be carried to China".