While Russia has stated that its state-owned gas giant Gazprom would participate in a trans-Afghan pipeline with Turkmenistan, Turkmen officials have denied the same. This comes after a rather disappointing meeting in Ashgabat between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, in which Moscow came away empty handed.

Analytical Note: Turkmenistan has played coy with Russia, with the Turkmen president issuing a very general and vague statement during Medvedev's visit: "Russian and Turkmenistan have mutual interest in partnership development. Our relationship is noted for stability and mutual understanding on fundamental issues."

That, however, does not mean a new deal with Gazprom, and responding to Russia's statement to that effect, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said: "Turkmenistan will continue to raise the significance of Europe-bound projects in its energy policy and will independently choose partners." Furthermore, the statement read: "Turkmenistan views the published remarks as an attempt to interfere in the normal course of international energy relations."

The misunderstanding revolves around two main competing pipelines: the European-backed Nabucco pipeline and the Russian-backed South Stream pipeline, both vying for Turkmen gas.

Recently, the Nabucco pipeline consortium announced that it would seek to be supplied by natural gas from Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan, which would be transported through Turkey, bypassing Russia. Russian officials responded to this announcement by saying that Russia's Nord Stream and South Stream pipelines would be operational before Nabucco, and hence particularly Azeri and Turkmen gas supplies would it first, rendering Nabucco redundant.

"Given the estimates of the Turkmen side, as well as European and international experts, the current market situation on the gas track allows us to say - and I say so without sarcasm - that there are no prospects for Nabucco," Russia's RIA Novosti quoted the Russian deputy prime minister as saying.

It appears, however, that Turkmenistan sees things differently, and the statement from its Foreign Ministry clearly backs supplying the Nabucco pipeline.

Source: http://www.globalintelligencereport.com/categories/Professional-Level-1

By. Jen Alic of the Global Intelligence Report

The global Intelligence Report is a Private news & Intelligence service for sophisticated news consumers, investors and energy market participants. Our breaking stories are often ahead of the mainstream media and our reports do a lot more than just deliver the news. To find out more please visit: www.GlobalintelligenceReport.com

© 2010 Copyright Global Intelligence Report - All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

Only logged in users are allowed to post comments. Register/ Log in

The Market Oracle is a FREE Financial Markets Forecasting & Analysis web-site.
(c) 2005-2024 MarketOracle.co.uk (Market Oracle Ltd) - Market Oracle Ltd asserts copyright on all articles authored by our editorial team and all comments posted. Any and all information provided within the web-site, is for general information purposes only and Market Oracle Ltd do not warrant the accuracy, timeliness or suitability of any information provided on this site. nor is or shall be deemed to constitute, financial or any other advice or recommendation by us. and are also not meant to be investment advice or solicitation or recommendation to establish market positions. We do not give investment advice and our comments are an expression of opinion only and should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as recommendations to enter into a market position either stock, option, futures contract, bonds, commodity or any other financial instrument at any time. We recommend that independent professional advice is obtained before you make any investment or trading decisions. By using this site you agree to this sites Terms of Use. From time to time we promote or endorse certain products / services that we believe are worthy of your time and attention. In return for that endorsement and only in the cases where you purchase directly though us may we be compensated by the producers of those products.