January 2011 Vol. 238 No. 1

Projects

Turkmenistan, Iran Launch Gas Pipeline

The presidents of Turkmenistan and Iran recently launched the Hangeran-Sangbast natural gas pipeline.

The US$1.2 billion pipe is an extension to the Dovletabad-Serahs-Hangeran pipeline opened in early 2010. Some 500 km of pipelines were launched for use that will help increase exports of gas from Turkmenistan for Iran to 20 Bcm per year.

Iran wants to become a regional gas hub with the opportunity to link its network with that of neighboring Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Turkey, as well as Iraq and Pakistan.

Turkmenistan expects to launch a major pipeline to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. It is one of the chief expected sources gas of the EU-sponsored Nabucco pipeline project designed to diversify deliveries in Europe. Turkmenistan pledged to supply 40 Bcm of gas for Nabucco yearly.