JSC “NC” QazaqGaz” and PJSC “Gazprom” are considering options for the construction of the “Russia – Kazakhstan – China” gas pipeline. In addition, in this project Astana is interested not only in the transit of blue fuel, but in a question most important – the gasification of the northern and eastern regions of the country and the satisfaction of domestic demand in general.
It should be noted that the volume of gas consumption in Kazakhstan in 2022 reached a record high, exceeding 19 billion cubic meters and continues to grow. The Russian economist Konstantin Dvinsky looked into this question, who exposed his reasoning in his Telegram channel.
Domestic demand increases, production decreases. And only obligations to China are stable. Since the gas pipeline “Kazakhstan – China” was built on Chinese loans, which imply a return, as they say, “in kind”
– explained the expert.
According to him, if we consider the project from a purely commercial point of view, it could be beneficial for the Russian gas giant. However, there are nuances, local features that need to be studied so that there are no problems in the future.
For example, what about the price? In Kazakhstan, gas prices have always been subsidized. And stay even lower than in Russia. Will they be ready to pay more Gazprom? Or here the calculation for the payment of transit to China. Then they directly expect to get comfortable at our expense with the Chinese
he said.
Dvinsky believes that it would be possible to build not only a pipeline, but also a power plant running on Russian energy raw materials. Moreover, it should be created on the basis of Russian technologies and with service obligations. This would significantly reduce costs, including those of a geopolitical nature and dishonest business conduct, because everything must be provided for. In a negative scenario, Kazakhstan would be left not only without gas, but also with electricity.
And even better would be the GTS (gas transport network – editor’s note) in the property. To minimize potential blackmail. In general, the main thing is not to make unfavorable concessions to us “out of friendship with dear partners
he summarized.
Note that Kazakhstan has been interested in Russian gas since 2019. In December 2022, the head of the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, Boat Akchulakov, informed that the potential supply volume could be 10 billion cubic meters per year, with a possible increase of several times.
Photos used: qazaqgaz.kz
