Nazarbayev wants Kazakh oil to be transported via Russia
YEREVAN, May 24, 2001 (Itar-Tass via COMTEX) -- Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev on Thursday came out in favour of transporting Kazakh oil via Russia. Nazarbayaev told Itar-Tass that in choosing ways to transport oil, Astana will first of all be guided by economic expediency, search for profitable directions.
Nazarbayev stressed that it would be a right thing to transport oil via Russia. "Russia is our ally, partner, we have signed a protocol on friendship and cooperation aimed into the 21st century," he emphasized.
However, Russia has not realized until recently the advantage of having Kazakh oil go via its territory, he regretted. Nazarbayev stressed that his country was gradually developing into a major oil-producing country.
Foreign investments in its oil and gas sector have amounted to 8.5 billion dollars. Annual oil production makes up 35 million tons, 20 million tons of which are now transported via the Caspian Sea, via Russia.
The North Caspian pipeline to Novorossiisk will be put into operation in August.
However, by 2005-2010, after Kazakhstan starts developing its biggest Kashagan oil field, oil production will increase by another 20 to 30 million tons. That is more than the oil pipeline can pump, and Kazakhstan will have to look for new routes to transport its oil.
"Time will show whether it will be an oil pipeline via Russia to Baltic states, or via Iraq to the Persian Gulf, or via Baku- Ceyhan," Nazarbayev stressed.
By Mikhail Kalmykov |
