Putin Has a Gas on His Birthday

Opening of Russia, Kazakh, Uzbek pipeline system.

Map of system showing the three legs.

Putin’s birthday will perhaps be remembered as the day the Palestinians pushed back against Zionist Fascism after zealots protected by the IDF attacked what has long been known as a Red Line—the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The technical description of this project and the swiftness of its completion required the close cooperation of the three nations involved, and as alluded, further projects will follow. More than the unusually frigid Winter Uzbekistan experienced last year its rapidly growing economy along with that of Kazakhstan has driven their need for more fuel despite their own domestic supplies. There will be further extension of Russian gas into the other Central Asian nations as all need more fuel for development. It would’ve been nice to read Miller’s report prior to the political show that follows, but at least some of the technical aspects are discussed.

Vladimir Putin: Dear Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich, Dear Shavkat Miromonovich, Dear friends!

I would like to once again extend my warmest greetings to all participants of today's ceremony on the occasion of the start of Russian gas supplies to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan and to Kazakhstan.

We are talking about the largest trilateral energy project, for the implementation of which the Central Asia – Center gas pipeline, built back in the 60s, is used. At that time, it was, in fact, the first transcontinental Eurasian gas route, through which Uzbekistan then supplied gas – about 80 billion cubic meters per year – to eight union republics at once.

Now this highway will work in reverse mode and will reliably provide the dynamically growing economy of Uzbekistan – and, in part, Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan is developing rapidly and also needs additional energy resources.

Let me remind you that our Uzbek friends asked us to set up gas supplies at the end of last year. We responded promptly and gave appropriate instructions to Gazprom, which, together with partners from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, worked out the necessary technical details.

And already in June, within the framework of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, a contract for the export of Russian gas to Uzbekistan and an agreement for its transportation through Kazakhstan were signed, according to which Russia will supply 2.8 billion cubic meters of gas to Uzbek consumers in the next two years.

I would like to note that the specialists of the three countries faced a large-scale and difficult task – to conduct diagnostics, repair and technically re-equip the gas transmission system facilities of Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan involved in the project, including those that have not been used for a long time.

Moreover, it was necessary to do all this in a very short time, quickly. After all, taking into account the difficulties of last winter, which turned out to be very severe in Uzbekistan, and temperatures reached minus twenty degrees – Shavkat Miromonovich said, minus 25 and even lower-we should have made it before the onset of winter cold this year.

The amount of work done in a short time is really impressive. In Russia, the Alexandrov Gai gas measuring station in the Saratov Region has been modernized. In Kazakhstan, pipes were repaired and pumping capacities were released. A gas measuring station and a new section of the Bukhara – Ural pipeline have been built in Uzbekistan.

The three countries organized technical supervision of the course of repair and restoration activities. Issues of providing the project with the necessary products have been resolved with pipe and rebar manufacturers. Additional capacities of Russian Railways were involved in its timely delivery from Russian manufacturing plants to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

It is also important that our own cutting-edge and innovative technologies were used to modernize the cross-border pipeline system, and I am confident that they will ensure maximum economic efficiency, safety and environmental cleanliness of fuel transportation.

The implementation of this project will have a clear impact on all three States. Uzbekistan will receive an additional source of energy supply, which will guarantee uninterrupted supply of heat and electricity to households and socially significant objects. Kazakhstan will be able to solve the issue of gasification of its northern and eastern regions. Gazprom is already working out the appropriate routes and parameters for gas supply.

Russia confirms its status as a reliable supplier of natural gas, and we are open to further cooperation and will strive to meet the needs of our Kazakh and Uzbek friends, partners, and other interested consumers in this type of fuel.

In general, the project is undoubtedly of great importance in terms of economic development and ensuring energy security not only in the three countries, but also in our entire large region.

In conclusion, I would like to thank everyone who ensured that the interests of all three countries were taken into account, and that the work on organizing a new scheme for Russian gas supplies to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan was successful. Those who worked on the design and construction of the new gas transmission route – engineers, construction workers, employees of the Russian Gazprom, Kazakh and Uzbek power engineers. As one team worked, I really want to say: well done, and thank you very much! Your professionalism and dedicated work deserve the highest praise.

The rapid implementation of such a large-scale, mutually beneficial and socially significant project has shown that Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are capable of solving the most complex, any, and most ambitious tasks. I am confident that the strategic partnership between our three countries will continue to develop and bring concrete, tangible results to our peoples.

Thank you very much.

Please, colleagues.

K.-Zh.Tokayev: Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, Dear Shavkat Miromonovich, Dear colleagues and friends,

I am pleased to welcome you at the grand opening of the transit of Russian gas through Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan. This is a truly historic event that opens another bright page in the annals of good-neighborly relations between our countries, raising our strategic cooperation and cooperation in the energy sector to a qualitatively new level.

The gas industry plays a big, one might say, special role in the sustainable socio-economic progress of our states, so this project meets the interests of all parties involved. Kazakhstan has completed the preparation of the main gas pipeline on its territory in a timely manner and in full. The project will ensure the diversification of Russian gas export supplies, will contribute to the expansion and modernization of Kazakhstan's gas transportation infrastructure, and will meet the growing demand of Uzbekistan for natural gas in the amount of up to three billion cubic meters per year. It will also give a powerful impetus to the industrial development of our countries, improve the business climate, and raise the standard of living of citizens.

I would like to highlight the project's role in strengthening regional stability and energy security in Central Asia. More than 20 thousand kilometers of main gas pipelines with an annual capacity of up to 255 billion cubic meters pass through the territory of Kazakhstan, and Kazakhstan is interested in fully using its transit potential and is ready to further increase the volume of Russian gas transportation.

In conclusion, I would like to thank you, Mr President, for your personal contribution to the promotion of this important transnational project. It was you who acted as the "driving force" in its practical implementation.

I would like to express my gratitude to President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev for his full support.

Separately, I would like to thank the management of Gazprom, Alexey Miller personally, as well as all Kazakhstani, Russian and Uzbek specialists for their professional and responsible joint work.

I wish you all well-being and new successes!

Sh.Mirziyoyev: Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, Dear Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich, Dear participants of the ceremony,

I am sincerely glad to welcome all of you at the launch ceremony of Russian natural gas supplies to the Republic of Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan. This is a truly historic event in our cooperation.

Cooperation between Uzbekistan, Russia and Kazakhstan in the energy sector is reaching a qualitatively new level of development. Thanks to political will and joint efforts, a new gas transportation corridor is being formed.

The Central Asia-Center gas pipeline, which previously supplied and transited gas to Russia for decades, will now be used in reverse mode to receive Russian "blue fuel".

In a short period of time, our specialists have worked together to prepare the infrastructure for gas supplies, reconstruct sections of the main gas pipeline, modernize compressor stations, and build a new Beineu gas measuring station.

In addition, our energy companies have signed agreements and contracts for the organization of natural gas supply and transit.

The launch of this gas transmission corridor is of strategic importance. First, it is an important factor in the energy security of our country and the entire region, as well as reliable and guaranteed supplies of "blue fuel".

Secondly, additional volumes of gas are needed to ensure uninterrupted supply of carbon to economic sectors and the population.

I would like to note once again that the implementation of this project is a vivid example of successful mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the energy sector. Its implementation demonstrates our solidarity and ability to effectively respond to the challenges of the global economy, especially in ensuring energy security, and we are ready to develop a long-term partnership in this area.

I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, and the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, for their personal support and promotion of this strategic project.

I would also like to sincerely thank the specialists and experts of our countries: gas workers, engineers, construction workers and other oil and gas workers who implemented the project in the shortest possible time. I would like to express my gratitude to Alexey Borisovich Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, and the management of Kazakhgas for their assistance in accelerating this project.

Dear colleagues! Dear friends!

I am convinced that the implementation of such a large-scale project and its results will serve to further strengthen the multifaceted relations between the three countries and contribute to the prosperity and well-being of our countries and peoples.

Thank you for your attention.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much.

Alexey Borisovich, please.

Alexey Miller: Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, Dear Kassym-Jomart Kemelyevich, Dear Shavkat Miromonovich,

I would like to welcome you from St. Petersburg, from Gazprom's central office in Lakhta Center.

Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your birthday!

Today we have an important event in the gas industry, a landmark event – today we are giving a new lease of life to the Central Asia – Center gas trunk pipeline system. For the first time, Russian gas will be delivered to Uzbekistan in reverse mode.

Contracts for gas supply and transit were signed in mid-June of this year, and we immediately started intensive work. The 1,760-kilometer-long section was undergoing repair and restoration work, technical re-equipment, reconstruction, and new construction in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. This complex of works was completed in the shortest possible time – 3.5 months. I want to thank everyone who took part in this work.

The screen shows the gas supply scheme. Gas from the unified gas supply system of Russia comes to the border with Kazakhstan, then along a specially designated gas transportation corridor goes to the border of Uzbekistan – and then to consumers.

Dear Presidents,

Your order to organize Russian gas supplies via Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan has been completed within the specified time frame. We will continue to develop our long-term mutually beneficial cooperation in the gas sector.

I give the floor to Zhurabek Tursunpulatovich, Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan.

Zh.Mirzamakhmudov: Thank you.

Good afternoon, dear Heads of State!

We are located on the site of a gas measuring station, where industry workers, construction workers, veterans, elders, local authorities and young people of Karakalpakstan are present.

On behalf of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a strategically important infrastructure base has been created in the north of Uzbekistan, which will ensure reliable gas supply and give an additional impetus to the socio-economic development of the northern regions of the country.

With the joint efforts of our specialists, a new Karakalpak gas measuring station was put into operation in Uzbekistan in the shortest possible time, modern gas transmission infrastructure facilities were built, and the country's main gas transmission system was fully ready to receive natural gas.

Dear Shavkat Miromonovich, we are fully prepared to receive Russian natural gas coming through the territory of Kazakhstan. Please give me your permission.

Sh.Mirziyoyev: I grant you permission.

Alexey Miller: I give the floor to Almasadam Maidanovich, Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan.

A. Satkaliyev: Dear Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich, Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, Dear Shavkat Miromonovich,

We are located at the Makat compressor station in Atyrau region in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

For the transit of Russian gas to the Republic of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan has carried out a huge amount of work related to the repair of main gas pipeline networks, and a set of measures has been taken to prepare a combined dedicated route through the Central Asia – Center system.

In addition to increasing the energy security of the region, this will enable the Republic of Kazakhstan to use the transit potential in the interests of the peoples of all our states.

Dear Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich,

We are ready to start receiving Russian natural gas into the republic's gas transmission system for transit to Uzbekistan. Please give me permission.

K.-Zh.Tokayev: I grant you permission.

A. Miller: We are in touch with the Alexandrov Guy compressor station, which is located on the border of Russia and Kazakhstan.

Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, I ask for permission to start supplying Russian gas to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan.

Vladimir Putin: I grant you permission.

Alexey Miller: Start delivering Russian gas.

Remark: Gas is supplied. The pressure in the pipeline corresponds to the set parameters, and all systems are operating normally.

Vladimir Putin: Congratulations to all!

(Applause.)

Once again, thank you all very much for your work. We are confident that it will continue.

My colleagues and I have agreed that we will discuss the prospects now. They are serious and significant-in the energy sector as a whole, not just in gas supplies. We know your needs. Kazakhstan's economy under the leadership of President Tokayev and President Mirziyoyev in Uzbekistan-economies are growing at a large, rapid pace, and countries need energy. There are plans and opportunities, as you have just reported to us and shown us. We have well-trained personnel in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia.

Today, my colleagues and I will discuss all these issues, and I am confident that we will find all solutions to meet the growing needs of all our countries.

Thank you again very much. Thank you.

*
*
*
Like what you’ve been reading at Karlof1’s Substack? Then please consider subscribing and choosing to make a monthly/yearly pledge to enable my efforts in this challenging realm. Thank You!