WORKING TRIP OF PRESIDENT GURBANGULY BERDIMUHAMEDOV TO LEBAP VELAYAT

Today President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held a working meeting dedicated to the results of his trip to Lebap velayat.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Sh. Abdrakhmanov, heads and specialists of the fuel and energy complex, representatives of the Chinese National Oil and Gas Corporation, which closely cooperates with Turkmenistan, as well as hyakim of Lebap velayat.

Issues related to further improvement of the country's fuel and energy complex, introduction of modern scientific achievements and development of international cooperation in this area were discussed.

The head of state focused on the importance of successfully solving the tasks defined in the Program for Development of the Oil and Gas Industry of Turkmenistan for the Period until 2030, which outlined three main areas related to the industrialization of the complex, identification and industrial development of new oil and gas fields.

Taking into account the growth of population and the construction of new residential areas in recent years, the priorities of the Program foresee to fully meet the domestic demand for relevant products and increase the export potential of the oil and gas industry. These issues will be discussed during the working meeting, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized. As the leader of the nation noted further, the meeting is also joined by the guests of honor - the leadership of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) - a long-standing partner of our country, whose views will also be heard.

The head of state stressed that as a result of the implemented policy in the field of energy, oil and gas sector of the national economy is developing harmoniously. New fields with rich oil and gas reserves are being discovered and commissioned, processing capacities are being created, projects of international importance are being implemented, the leader of the nation stated and gave the floor to the director of the Natural Gas Research Institute of the Türkmengaz State Concern B. Pirnyyazov.

The head of the research institute reported that at present, in accordance with the instructions of the head of state and in accordance with the approved work plan for the scientific study of the productivity of fields in different parts of the country, including in the Lebap velayat, prospective wells are being investigated and their results are being analyzed.

Further, the head of the State Corporation “Türkmengeologiýa” M. Rozyev reported on the geophysical studies carried out in the Lebap velayat, as well as on the implementation of the earlier instructions given by the head of state to carry out prospecting and exploration drilling operations in different parts of the country.

In particular, report was given on the exploration works in search for gas in the Malaý gas field and the Demirgazyk Derwiş area as part of the tasks set by the leader of the nation for exploration and production of underground resources.

Geophysical work was carried out in accordance with the earlier instructions given by the head of state regarding the discovery of new fields on the basis of 2D and 3D seismological studies in the territories adjacent to the Malaý and Naýyp gas fields located in Lebap velayat. As a result, a new “dome” was discovered in the lower layers of the Demirgazyk Derwiş and Malaý deposits.

In this regard, the State Corporation “Türkmengeologiýa” plans to drill exploratory wells 4000 meters deep in the Malaý gas field and 3200 meters deep in the Demirgazyk Derwiş area.

Further, the head of the State Concern “Türkmengaz” B. Amanov reported on the results of the working trip of the leader of the nation to Lebap velayat. 

As reported, in order to fully operate the Bagadzha plant for purification of sour gas and production of liquefied gas, the Department for Production of Liquefied Gas of Lebap Velayat of the State Concern “Türkmengaz” plans to carry out necessary work to further increase the production of gas condensate and liquified gas and to produce additional 2 million cubic meters of natural gas per day.

Further, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Sh. Abdrakhmanov took the floor. The Deputy Prime Minister reported that in accordance with the instructions previously given by the President of the country, State Concern “Türkmengaz”, State Corporation “Türkmengeologiýa”, and Scientific Research Institute of Natural Gas of the State Concern “Türkmengaz” carried out corresponding work on the production of additional volumes of natural gas in Mary and Lebap velayats in the coming years; further necessary steps will continue to be taken in this direction.

In addition, it is planned to further increase the production of gas condensate and liquefied gas, as well as provide for production of additional volumes of natural gas due to full operation of the Bagadzha sulphurous gas purification and liquefied gas production unit.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that due to the active support of the leader of the nation, State Concern “Türkmengaz” will carry out all the relevant work. The industrial development of new promising fields, identified on the basis of geological data, will significantly increase the volume of natural gas reserves in our country.

Continuing the workshop, the heads of the sectoral structures of the domestic fuel and energy complex reported on the state of affairs in the sectors they supervise, as well as on large-scale measures deployed aimed at the successful implementation of the tasks of the Oil and Gas Industry Development Program for the period up to 2030.

Detailed information was provided on the steps taken to increase the volume of natural gas production at the exploited fields of our country, in particular, in the Lebap velayat, as well as on the development of the processing sector of the industry and introduction of technological innovations and digital systems. As noted, along with this, comprehensive work is being carried out to increase the productivity of existing wells and develop new ones through advanced technologies.

Reports were also given on the activities carried out jointly with foreign partners on the development of Galkynyş gas field. In order to accelerate the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, necessary work is being carried out jointly with the relevant domestic and international structures, which clearly reflects the efforts to successfully solve the assigned tasks.

In continuation of the meeting, report was given on the studies carried out at some promising sites for natural gas and gas condensate, with the aim of constructing new wells. Research wells are being drilled at the fields and sites discovered as a result of re-analysis of available data. 

After listening to the reports and addressing the participants of the meeting, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that our independent, neutral Motherland holds all opportunities for the development and use of the impressive reserves of hydrocarbon resources for the benefit of our people and the peoples of the world, and, in particular, favorable legal and financial-economic conditions for cooperation with foreign investors. This contributes to the recognition of our state as a major energy power in the world, the leader of the nation noted.

As President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized, a colossal amount of work has been done to diversify the export of Turkmen natural gas to world markets in a short historical period. Currently, cooperation is intensifying, it is carried out thoughtfully and purposefully. Effective relations have been established with a number of countries of the world and large companies.

Among these partners, the head of state continued, a significant place is given to the People's Republic of China. The cooperation established between Turkmenistan and the China National Oil and Gas Corporation in the gas sector is constructive and mutually beneficial. The jointly implemented projects over the past years serve today for the benefit of our peoples, the leader of the nation emphasized.

Taking this opportunity, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed heartfelt gratitude to the President of the People's Republic of China, H.E. Xi Jinping, for his significant personal contribution to strengthening bilateral relations, in particular, to the development of cooperation between our countries in the energy sector.

The head of state also expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Chinese National Petroleum Corporation and its representatives operating in our country for their active work.

In the future, we will continue to develop the Turkmen-Chinese relations, which are of a strategic nature, on a long-term basis in various directions, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted. Our goal is to use the country's hydrocarbon resources, which are an invaluable asset, in the name of strengthening world peace, prosperous life and well-being of peoples, the leader of the nation said.

The head of state once again drew attention to the important projects of global importance implemented in a few years to achieve the set high goals.

One of them is the Malay gas compressor station. This facility, which is important in the supply of Turkmen natural gas to the Turkmenistan-China transnational gas pipeline, called a major project of the century, via the Malaý - Bagtyýarlyk pipeline with a length of 188 kilometers, was commissioned exactly one year ago.

Natural gas has been produced in the Malaý field in the Lebap velayat since 1986. To date, over 247 billion cubic meters of natural gas have been produced from this field with initial reserves of 358 billion 700 million cubic meters. Continuation of work on gas production here, expansion of the area, as well as exploration and discovery of gas deposits in the lower layers of the developed layers are important tasks of today.

In this regard, the leader of the nation noted that State Concern “Türkmengaz” will have ample opportunities to implement the plan for production of additional volumes of natural gas in our country in the coming years.

Emphasizing the great contribution of the representatives of the Chinese National Oil and Gas Corporation in Turkmenistan to the development of hydrocarbon resources, the head of state gave the floor to the General Director of the Corporation's branch in our country Chen Huailong.

Having cordially congratulated President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and expressing his best wishes on the occasion of the New Year, Chen Huailong stressed that he has been working in Turkmenistan since 2003 and has witnessed the beginning of a new era of Turkmen-Chinese cooperation in the oil and gas sector.

Continuing his speech, the guest noted that on July 17th, 2007, with the participation of the President of Turkmenistan and the Chairman of the PRC, State Concern “Türkmengaz” and “CNPC” signed a Production Sharing Agreement on the contractual territory “Bagtyyarlyk”, paving the path for industrial development of 29 gas fields and production of “blue fuel” from 137 wells. It was emphasized that in 2021, about 34 billion cubic meters of natural gas were sent from Turkmenistan to China.

The commissioning of the Malaý gas compressor station, which took place in January last year, allowed for uninterrupted supply of natural gas to China during the winter heating season. Since the opening of the transnational Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline in 2009, over 320 billion cubic meters of Turkmen gas have been exported to the Celestial Empire. The results of this joint partnership aroused interest and were recognized by the world community.

Along with this, emphasis was placed on the project of drilling three wells in the Galkynyş gas field, the implementation of which began in August last year. The guest assured that CNPC Corporation will make every effort to complete their construction this year.

As noted, CNPC and State Concern Türkmengaz are taking all measures to implement the important agreements reached at the highest level. In this regard, the parties held a number of negotiations, which were held in a constructive manner. In the near future, a new round of negotiations will begin, and maximum efforts will be rendered to achieve the main goal - expanding partnership and intensifying trade in natural gas, the guest said.

It was also emphasized that January 6th, 2022 marks 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the People's Republic of China, and July 17th - 15 years since the signing of the Production Sharing Agreement on the Bagtyýarlyk contract territory. In this context, the guest assured that the CNPC corporation will continue to work on the implementation of the agreements reached earlier, and will also strive to deepen bilateral cooperation with Turkmenistan in the oil and gas field. 

In conclusion, the guest noted that in light of the growing trend towards low-carbon emissions around the world today and expectations of a significant increase in the share of natural gas in total energy consumption, Turkmenistan occupies a key place in the international energy system.

Having listened to the speech, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov wished the representative of the Chinese National Oil and Gas Corporation further success in the work carried out in Turkmenistan.

Then the leader of the nation then gave the floor to the hyakim of the Lebap velayat Sh. Amangeldiyev.

Anticipating the report, the head of the administration of the eastern region of the country expressed gratitude to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on behalf of all its residents, who viewed the visit of the head of state in the first days of the New Year and familiarization with the progress of affairs in the velayat as a blessing for further success in work.

It was reported that in the velayat, guided by the instructions of the head of state, it is planned to increase the yield of potatoes and vegetables and melons by reducing the area under cotton and improving breeding work. The production of livestock products will also be increased.

The hyakim expressed gratitude to the head of state for taking care of the socio-economic development of the regions, improving the social and living conditions of the people, consistently increasing the productivity of livestock workers, especially sheep breeders.

Summing up the report, the President of the country emphasized that the successful implementation of the adopted regional development programs is one of the important priorities of state policy.

At the end of the workshop, the leader of the nation wished the audience good health, longevity, family well-being and great success in their work for further prosperity of the sovereign Fatherland.

Then President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov proceeded to the International Airport of the city of Turkmenabat, from where he departed back to the capital.

Working trip of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Lebap velayat (turkmenistan.gov.tm)