Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Dec. 16 / Trend D. Azizov /
Uzbekistan and China have commenced constructing the third branch line of the Central Asia- China gas pipeline, a source in governmental circles told Trend today.
According to the interlocutor, a ceremony was held in Gazli on December 15 in connection with the launched construction of the sector of the gas pipeline passing through Uzbekistan, stretching 529 kilometers.
The design capacity of the third branch line is 25 billion cubic meters of gas a year, the project cost - $ 2.2 billion.
Gas deliveries are expected to begin through the third branch line in January 2014 by reaching the planned capacity in December 2015.
The project will be financed by loans from the Chinese State Development Bank, as well as direct investments of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).
The first of the two branches was commissioned in Dec. 2009. The construction of the second branch was completed in 2010.
The gas pipeline is intended for export of natural gas from Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to China.
Operator of the project in Uzbek site is the Uzbek-Chinese joint venture "Asia Trans Gas", created by the National Holding Company "Uzbekneftegaz" and CNPC.
Gas supplies from Uzbekistan to China are expected to be launched in 2012.
Uzbekneftegaz is a monopoly operator in the Uzbek oil and gas complex. It was established in 1998. It unites six joint stock companies.
Uzbekistan ranks second in the CIS for natural gas production.
