Russia's large independent oil and gas producer Itera will put into operation its $155.5-million gas pipeline in Turkmenistan on Saturday, the company's press service said.
The 198-kilometer pipeline is linking gas deposits in the Karakum Desert with the Central Asia - Center gas pipeline system running from Turkmenistan via Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to Russia. Some 3 billion cubic meters of gas are expected to be pumped via the new pipeline annually.
Turkmenistan is home to South Yolotan, the world's fourth largest gas field with estimated reserves of 4 to 14 trillion cubic meters.
Russia, along with China and Iran, is a major consumer of Turkmen gas. The Central Asia - Center gas pipeline system is controlled by Russia's energy giant Gazprom.
In late September, Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov said Turkmenistan would continue to maintain a policy of strategic cooperation with Russia in the oil and gas sphere despite the negative impact of the global economic crisis on joint projects.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will pay a working visit to Turkmenistan on October 21-22, the Kremlin has said.
MOSCOW, October 16 (RIA Novosti)
