Cooperation between Turkmenistan and China in the fuel and energy sector is developing within the framework of joint projects being implemented in the «Bagtyyarlyk» Contract Area in Lebap velayat. The China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) continues to develop deposits on the right bank of the Amu Darya, reports the AsmanNews.

In the western part of Block “B”, development of six fields has been completed — Kishtuvan, Gunbatar Kishtuvan, Gadyn, Demirgazyk Gadyn, Gundogar Iljik and Iljik. The total investment in the project amounted to 280 million US dollars. 22 production wells and production infrastructure designed for annual extraction of 1.8 billion cubic meters of natural gas have been built.

At the fields, 22 single-well stations, gas gathering stations and a main gas gathering station at the Gadyn field have been established. The equipment installed there makes it possible to pre-treat up to 5.5 million cubic meters of gas per day.

The treated gas is transported via pipelines to Gas Processing Plant No. 1, then routed to the booster compressor station and for export. Gas condensate is transported via a separate 87-kilometer pipeline to the stabilization unit for further processing and sale.

The project also provides for the construction of fire and gas rescue stations, a water supply station, a residential town and social infrastructure facilities. The project has created around 200 jobs.

The Production Sharing Agreement for the Bagtyyarlyk Contract Area was signed on July 17, 2007. On December 14, 2009, the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline and the first gas processing plant were commissioned.

Over the course of the project, direct investment exceeded US$9 billion. Geological exploration identified 47 gas-bearing structures and confirmed geological natural gas reserves of more than 570 billion cubic meters. Two gas processing plants are currently operating in the area, with a combined capacity of 14.5 billion cubic meters of marketable gas per year. Cumulative production since the start of the project has exceeded 133 billion cubic meters.

Particular attention is paid to the training of national personnel. The share of Turkmenistan's citizens among the company's employees exceeds 90%. Local specialists work in engineering, technical and managerial positions. Young citizens of the country are also sent to study at the China University of Petroleum.

CNPC also participates in social projects in Lebap velayat, providing support to healthcare, education and sports institutions, as well as financing the construction of drinking water supply systems.

Turkmenistan and China continue to develop cooperation in the energy sector. The implementation of joint projects is aimed at increasing natural gas production and strengthening regional energy security.