On November 29, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received the head of the Russian company Lukoil Vagit Alikperov , the state information agency TDH reports .
The parties discussed investments, implementation of large infrastructure projects , diversification of routes for the export of Turkmen energy resources to the world market.
The main topic of the talks was the development of the hydrocarbon resources of the Caspian, "where the key factor is the establishment of coordinated international interaction based on legal norms and respect for each other's interests."
HT's commentary. It is likely that Ashgabat is trying to lobby for the construction of a trans-Caspian gas pipeline through a Russian company. According to the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea adopted in 2018, it is possible to begin work on laying pipelines on the seabed only after all five Caspian countries are convinced of the environmental safety of the project. This condition is rather a lever of control for Russia and Iran, the traditional opponents of the trans-Caspian Sea, since it is impossible to ensure complete environmental safety and eliminate all risks to the environment.
Alikperov said that a favorable investment climate has been created in the Turkmen market, and the existing legal framework is a reliable guarantor for investments in the development of hydrocarbon deposits and in the construction of related infrastructure.
The previous meeting between Berdymukhamedov and Alikperov took place in Ashgabat about a month ago. Then the parties also discussed investments in the fuel and energy complex, diversification of energy export routes and the development of Caspian resources.
In February 2021 the President of Turkmenistan and head of "Lukoil" for the first time on a fished development of Caspian field "Dostluk" (formerly "Serdar" / "Kapaz").
“We welcome the intention of Lukoil to take part in the development of the field and are ready to consider specific investment proposals ,” Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said then.
In July 2021, the President of Turkmenistan also discussed the development of the field with the head of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) Rovnag Abdullayev.
Source: Chronicles of Turkmenistan