Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 16 /Trend V.Zhavoronkova/
The expansion of Turkmenistan's gas cooperation with China can be viewed in two ways - on one hand, it will bring significant cash receipts to Turkmenistan, on the other hand - it will put Ashgabat in a dependent position of Beijing, the Russian expert on CIS energy Sergey Pravosudov believes.
Last week the visit of Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Central Asia was completed.
During the visit Jinping signed a number of agreements for the construction of the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline. An agreement on construction of this gas pipeline was also signed with Ashgabat.
During his visit to Turkmenistan, Jinping took part in the launch of the strategically important Galkynysh gas field.
"According to forecasts China will be the world leader in gas consumption - all admit this," General Director of the Russian Institute of National Energy, Sergei Pravosudov told Trend.
According to him, the highest growth in gas consumption in the next 20 years is expected to come from China.
"This suggests that the country will consume all the volumes of gas that will appear next to it, including and especially the Turkmen gas - it is clear, because the contracts have already been signed," Pravosudov said.
According to him, Turkmenistan unlikely will be looking for other opportunities to export gas in the foreseeable future.
According to Pravosudov, the two discussed alternative routes for Turkmen gas - to Europe and India, remain abstract and real steps have not been taken for their realization.
At present, Turkmenistan sells its gas to China, Russia and Iran, however increasing gas exports to China, this country becomes dependent from China, the expert believes.
"Ashgabat becomes strongly dependent from Beijing. China does not only buy the gas, but also invests in its production, the construction of the gas transmission system, grants loans to Turkmenistan," Pravosudov said.
According to Pravosudov, on the other hand, such a policy of selling gas is very beneficial for Turkmenistan - this country gets money, infrastructure, and investment in production.
