On Thursday, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited the plant for the production of gasoline from natural gas in the Akhal region, where he got acquainted with the activities of this unique industrial complex and discussed with the leaders of the oil and gas sector the prospects for the construction of new gas chemical complexes.

The TIGAS technology developed by Haldor Topsoe for the production of synthetic gasoline from natural gas was for the first time in the world applied on an industrial scale at the plant built in Turkmenistan under the contract of the State Concern «Turkmengas» with a consortium of the Japanese company Kawasaki Heavy Industries and the Turkish holding Rönesans for the amount of $ 1,7 billion USD.

 The production capacity of the plant, which was commissioned in June 2019, is designed to process 1.785 billion cubic meters of gas per year and produce 600 thousand tons of ECO-93 Euro-5 gasoline, 12 thousand tons of diesel fuel, and 115 thousand tons of LNG per year. The project was financed with funds from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

“Our country occupies a leading position in the world in terms of natural gas reserves,” Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said, opening the meeting. “Therefore, we attach great importance to the processing of blue fuel and the output of gas chemical products that are in great demand abroad. Large-scale projects are being consistently implemented in this direction”.

The President also noted that implementing such projects, first of all, the production of environmentally friendly products meet international standards. The head of the state pointed out that specialists with high-tech education were needed to ensure the smooth functioning of the plant and its management.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that work would continue on the development of the processing industry, the construction of gas chemical complexes, the training of international level specialists, state programs had been adopted in this direction. At the same time, it was emphasized that an important task was the timely return of funds raised from abroad for the implementation of such large-scale projects.

Director of the Akhal gasoline plant D. Sapbayev, reporting on the state of affairs at the enterprise, noted that 1800 tons of gasoline per day were produced there, which was also supplied to Afghanistan and European countries. In addition, it was reported about the ongoing work on the construction of the second stage of the plant. When preparing the project, it was envisaged to introduce innovations, a digital system in order to improve the production process.

“Taking into account the growing demand in the world for environmentally friendly gasoline, it is necessary to expand sales markets in foreign countries,” the head of Turkmenistan said and gave relevant instructions.

State Minister – Chairman of the SC «Turkmengas» B. Amanov reported on the increase in production, processing and export of natural gas. For this purpose comprehensive measures were being taken to increase the production of «blue fuel», increase the productivity of wells, as well as develop new wells, use advanced technologies and a digital system.

It was also reported on the progress of work on the development of the Galkynysh gas field, carried out in conjunction with reliable foreign partners.

During the meeting, it was noted that in our country there were huge opportunities for creating new capacities for the processing of hydrocarbon resources, including the production of methanol, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, formaldehyde and hydrogen. It was also noted that it was expedient to study the possibilities of establishing the production of hydrogen as a «fuel of the future».

Rector of the International University of Oil and Gas named after Y. Kakaev B. Atamanov informed about the training of highly qualified specialists for modern enterprises of the oil and gas industry, including for a plant for the production of synthetic fuel.

Director of the Scientific Research Institute of Natural Gas of the State Concern «Turkmengas» B. Pirniyazov said that the institute had prepared a technical and economic analysis of the construction of gas chemical plants.  The results were sent to the State Concern «Turkmengas».

The specialists of this research institute were also carrying out a preliminary technical, economic and scientific assessment of the construction at the Akhal plant for the production of gasoline from gas of an object for the production of 6 thousand tons of isobutane per year, as well as a new modern gas chemical complex in the coastal region.

Among the major investment projects to increase the raw material base of the industry, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov singled out the industrial development of the super-giant Galkynysh field, the resources of which, together with the Yashlar and Garakol fields, were estimated at 27.4 trillion cubic meters of gas.

Speaking at the meeting, Vice-Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Sh.Abdrakhmanov reported on the state of affairs in the fuel and energy complex of the country and the upcoming work. As the Vice-Chairman noted, the opening of the plant, which took place in June 2019 with the participation of the head of the state, launched a chain of new scientific and technological initiatives.

The head of the state ordered to keep under constant control the activities of the oil and gas complex and urged to focus on addressing issues of strengthening the human resources of industrial enterprises in the industry.

The President also emphasized the need for a systematic modernization of production through the introduction of advanced scientific and technological developments.