Implications of the Turkmenistan-China Gas Pipeline
Implications of the Turkmenistan-China Gas Pipeline
Alex Goeman
alextgoeman@gmail.com
MC 492, Graham
4/26/2012
Abstract
The struggle over energy export routes in Central Asia has taken the form of a new Great Game, one in which Western energy companies (encouraged and assisted by their governments) compete with state owned Russian and Chinese firms for the right to exploit Central Asian resources. The implementation of the Turkmenistan-China Gas Pipeline, which began to pump gas to China in 2010, has been the most significant development of the past five years and signals, more than any other event, the primacy of Chinese influence in the region. Turkmenistan now possesses the proven reserves and a partnership with China that could help it achieve sustainable development, although there are many domestic factors impeding this. As China increases its presence in the region, it seems that Russia and the West are being left behind in the race for Central Asian hydrocarbons.
Executive Summary
In the complex geopolitical environment of the Caspian region, all the players involved must carefully balance political and economic objectives. Each actor brings its own set of goals for the region, and in the case of the external actors these interests are generally in conflict. While Russia seeks to preserve its hegemony over export routes of Caspian hydrocarbons, Western governments overtly seek to undermine precisely this element of Russian influence. To the East, China has been continuing its resource-based form of checkbook diplomacy in Central Asia in much the same way as it has been aggressively acquiring assets in Africa and other parts of the developing world. Turkmenistan has sought to enhance its flexibility to negotiate favorable terms for exporting gas, which is the core of the Turkmen economy and very likely the only prospect for long-term economic development. However, the aspirations of these actors have
Alex Goeman
alextgoeman@gmail.com
MC 492, Graham
4/26/2012
Abstract
The struggle over energy export routes in Central Asia has taken the form of a new Great Game, one in which Western energy companies (encouraged and assisted by their governments) compete with state owned Russian and Chinese firms for the right to exploit Central Asian resources. The implementation of the Turkmenistan-China Gas Pipeline, which began to pump gas to China in 2010, has been the most significant development of the past five years and signals, more than any other event, the primacy of Chinese influence in the region. Turkmenistan now possesses the proven reserves and a partnership with China that could help it achieve sustainable development, although there are many domestic factors impeding this. As China increases its presence in the region, it seems that Russia and the West are being left behind in the race for Central Asian hydrocarbons.
Executive Summary
In the complex geopolitical environment of the Caspian region, all the players involved must carefully balance political and economic objectives. Each actor brings its own set of goals for the region, and in the case of the external actors these interests are generally in conflict. While Russia seeks to preserve its hegemony over export routes of Caspian hydrocarbons, Western governments overtly seek to undermine precisely this element of Russian influence. To the East, China has been continuing its resource-based form of checkbook diplomacy in Central Asia in much the same way as it has been aggressively acquiring assets in Africa and other parts of the developing world. Turkmenistan has sought to enhance its flexibility to negotiate favorable terms for exporting gas, which is the core of the Turkmen economy and very likely the only prospect for long-term economic development. However, the aspirations of these actors have
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