The XXV International Conference "Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan 2020" has started today in the afternoon.  The organizers of the business forum are the State concerns "Turkmengas" and "Turkmennebit" in partnership with the company "Turkmen Forum".

 This year, the OGT Forum is being held for the first time in a hybrid format, combining offline and online events.  The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, where about 200 conference participants gathered, became the platform for OGT 2020.  About a hundred other delegates joined the forum online through the Zoom platform.

 At the opening ceremony of the forum, Vice-Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Myratgeldi Meredov read out the official greeting of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to its participants.

 The first plenary session was devoted to the topic "Energy diplomacy of Turkmenistan - the key to energy security and sustainable development in the region."  Speakers at this meeting were Vice-Chairman Myratgeldi Meredov, Chairman of the State concern "Turkmengas" Batyr Amanov, Chairman of the Management Board of PJSC LUKOIL Vagit Alekperov, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan Elena Panova, Secretary General of the Secretariat of the European Energy Charter Urban Rusnak, Executive Director of TAPI Pipeline Company  Limited Muhammetmyrat Amanov, and  Chairman of the Central Bank of Afghanistan Ajmal Ahmadi.

 Describing the policy of neutrality and preventive diplomacy pursued by Turkmenistan in the economic aspect, Vice-Chairman Myratgeldi Meredov cited as an example such a large-scale project as the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, which will give a powerful impetus to the region's economic progress.  This project is supported by major world powers and reputable international financial institutions.

 Turkmenistan's status as one of the largest energy countries in the world is confirmed by the assessment of natural gas reserves and resources, including the Galkynysh field, the second largest in the world.  Myratgeldi Meredov spoke about the results of the first stage of industrial development of this field, where three plants with a production capacity of 30 billion cubic meters of marketable gas per year have been commissioned to date.  The development of the deposit continues.

 The Vice-Chairman also noted in his speech that China is currently the largest importer of Turkmen natural gas.  Three lines (A, B and C) of the transnational gas pipeline Turkmenistan - Uzbekistan - Kazakhstan - China supply about 40 billion cubic meters of gas per year.  In the future, the annual volumes will be increased to 65 billion cubic meters of gas per year.

 In addition, Turkmenistan is currently also supplying gas via the CAC gas pipeline to Russia, and has all the technical capabilities and resource base for the supply of natural gas to the south.

 In parallel with the export of natural gas, Turkmenistan is developing deep processing of natural gas, which in time may become a dominant direction in the national economy.  In recent years, several gas chemical complexes have been put into operation in the country, and it is planned to build new similar enterprises producing products with high added value.

 Inviting leading international companies to cooperate with Turkmenistan in such areas as the development of licensed blocks in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea, as well as in investment and service projects, the Vice-Chairman voiced specific areas, including the creation of joint companies.

 Among the main factors of the growing attractiveness of Turkmenistan for foreign investors, the Vice-Chairman named the stable economic and political situation in the country, as well as the legislative framework and state guarantees.

 State Minister, Chairman of the State concern "Turkmengas" Batyr Amanov said that Turkmenistan's hydrocarbon resources are estimated at over 71 billion tons of oil equivalent, of which more than 20 billion tons of oil and more than 50 trillion cubic meters of natural gas.

 Turkmengas' immediate plans include further development of the Galkynysh field, construction of the TAPI gas pipeline, as well as new processing facilities, including gas chemistry.

 “The neutrality of Turkmenistan is of great importance for ensuring peace, security and prosperity in the Central Asian region,” - the head of the British-Turkmen Business Council Ronald Nash, who moderated the plenary session, said.  As an example, he named Turkmenistan's support for neighboring Afghanistan, assistance to political, economic and social settlement in this country.

 On the same day, the session “Global trends in energy markets and prospects for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation” took place.  Here the main speech was made by the Chairman of the State Concern "Turkmennebit" Guichgeldi Baigeldiev, in which the prospects of international cooperation in the oil industry of Turkmenistan were announced.

 During this session, Secretary General of the Forum of Gas Exporting Countries Yuri Sentyurin spoke about the role of natural gas in the energy world after COVID-19.  Also, reports were made by representatives of the SRI of the SC "Turkmengas" on the stages of development of the "Galkynysh" field, "CNPC" on the experience of cooperation with Turkmenistan, and a number of other companies.

 In addition, preliminary agreed meetings of representatives of foreign business with the leadership of the oil and gas sector of Turkmenistan took place.

 Tomorrow, the OGT 2020 Oil and Gas Forum will continue its work.