OREANDA-NEWS. October 17, 2011. Turkmenistan, being one of the largest energy powers of the world and the most important supplier of natural gas into international markets in the Central Asian region has huge possibilities for considerable expansion of extraction and export of valuable raw material.

On this basis, Turkmenistan logically carries out policy of diversification of gas export, expansion of kinds and products quantity delivered to foreign markets. Expansion of gas export volume is also planned to be carried out in different directions and adhering to the principles of gas delivery till its border. Within the years of independence Turkmenistan proved itself as a reliable and stable partner on energy carriers’ delivery.

Turkmenistan as neutral state upholds friendly relations with neighboring countries and is guided with the principles of peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation with all countries of the globe. In this connection Turkmenistan has never politicized and will never politicize the projects concerning natural gas delivery to certain countries. Being guided only by economic interests and common sense, objective conditions of market relations Turkmenistan does not set a goal to realize certain projects harming or insulting interests of third countries.

Therefore, when false rumors and insinuation appear in foreign media regarding energy policy, different projects or data concerning this sector of the national economy the question comes out why deliberate false information is published? Repeated statements of CEO of national Energy Security Fund of the Russian Federation Konstantin Simonov on RBK television one will not call otherwise than disinformation.

Spreading of information having nothing common with the reality regarding independent, sovereign state before the multimillion audiences does not conform to norms of professional ethics at any rate.

If individuals have no information regarding current state of gas reserves and the latest discoveries in Turkmenistan it does not give them rights to call Turkmenistan a “closed country”.

Turkmenistan carrying out “the policy of open doors” positively cooperates with many countries, international organizations and known companies. In order to be assured in the presence of gas in Turkmenistan it is enough to become familiar with the information printed in Mass Media about results of independent audit of gas reserves of certain groups of fields held by competent international company. Thus, the question about the “secrecy” of Turkmenistan has appeared, perhaps because of lack of information of K. Smirnov or probably because of some other reasons.

Unfounded statements regarding gas reserves in Southern-Yoleten-Osman field and compared conditions of its development with certain Russian fields are given in the publications of S. Pravosudov as well.

It is necessary to note that conclusion proving given deposit to be the second due to its extension of reserves was sounded by acknowledged international experts.

Puzzling inconsistency of author’s arguments are felt when Southern Yoloten-Osman field is compared with the Astrakhan deposit. Hydrogen sulfide content in the Astrakhan field raised its level several times as compared with the Turkmen field. If Astrakhan deposit was originally developed for the purpose of sulfur extraction (i.e. gas is produced as a secondary product), the Turkmen pantry of “blue fuel” by its nature is the depositary of such high quality hydrocarbons that specialists consider accompanying admixtures as secondary ones. However, Turkmenistan strictly following principles of guaranteeing not only the volumes but the highest quality of exported products carries out balanced activities in order to deliver marketable gas passed through complex system of purification. To that end, presently provision of the necessary facilities and creation of on land industrial infrastructure is carried out. The presence of insignificant hydrogen sulfide is not an obstacle for expansion of Turkmenistan’s production capabilities.

In the above mentioned article, the field Yoloten-Osman is compared with the Shtokman field, located in the Barents Sea. To our opinion, this comparison is incorrect, since the Turkmen field is located on land near the developed industrial and social infrastructure, not in harsh north offshore environment conditions 500 km from the coast. According to Russian experts estimations the Shtokman field development needs about 50.0 billion U.S. dollars, while service contracts worth 8.7 billion U.S. dollars have already been signed for the turnkey development of Southern Yoloten field with annual production capacity of 30.0 billion cubic meters of gas.

Having huge gas reserves Turkmenistan is now exporting it in three directions and is actively negotiates regarding two gas projects in the south and west directions, moreover talks with Peoples Republic of China and Islamic Republic of Iran concerning expansion of volumes for existing gas delivery contracts are held as well.