By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, July 16 -- Turkmenistan has named contractors to construct a 60,000 b/d crude oil pipeline along its Caspian Sea coast to be placed in service in 2005.
The $60 million pipeline would transport crude oil produced at Korpedzhe oil and gas field to Balkanabad. From there, the crude would move through an existing system to the Turkmenbashi refinery (see map, OGJ, Oct. 14, 2002, p. 44).
Press reports quoted the Turkmenistani Oil, Gas and Natural Resources Ministry as saying Pres. Sapurmurat Niyazov signed a resolution that commited monies for construction from the state fund for the development of the Turkmen oil and gas industry.
State Turkmenneftegazstroi would tackle 55% of the project and Caspro Pipeline Service AG of Liechtenstein would handle the rest through three subcontractors. Turkmenneftegaz was to be given a quota for oil and products equal to the amount needed to cover the pipeline's cost.
Caspian tankers now ship crude from the field to the refinery.
