Central Asian Energy: Circumventing Russia

Central Asia is rich in oil and natural gas, but Soviet-era transport infrastructure sends the vast bulk of production north to Russia. A great chess game is taking place as other players — especially Europe and China — vie with Moscow for access to the region’s energy reserves.

Key Analysis
Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov
VLADIMIR RODIONOV/AFP/Getty Images
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimukhammedov
Turkmenistan: Natural Gas and the European Union
April 16, 2008 2210 GMT
Turkmen and EU officials agreed April 9 to have 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas available for export to Europe by 2009. [more]
Hu Jintao and Karim Masimov
Kazakhstan: The Chinese Connection
April 11, 2008 1952 GMT
As Kazakhstan's traditional ties to Russia continue eroding, China is stepping in to become a strategic partner for the Central Asian state. (With Stratfor map) [more]
PHOTO -- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at energy security conference
Azerbaijan: Baku's Natural Gas Price Hike
February 11, 2008 1941 GMT
Azerbaijan announced Feb. 11 that it plans to increase the cost of its natural gas exports. [more]
MAP - Central Asia - Railway Links
China: Railroading Central Asia
January 31, 2008 1439 GMT
China is attempting to draw Central Asia into its orbit. [more]
China pipeline
China, Turkmenistan: Natural Gas and Regional Geopolitics
January 22, 2008 2014 GMT
China and Turkmenistan have agreed on a price for Turkmen natural gas to be imported by China via the planned Central Asia Gas Pipeline, China Securities Journal reported Jan. 21. [more]
Oil pipeline in the snow near Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan: An Oil Field Deal
January 14, 2008 2137 GMT
Kazakhstan reached an agreement late Jan. 13 with the consortium of oil supermajors responsible for developing its mammoth Kashagan oil field. [more]
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