According to experts, the rise of prices for the Central Asian gas exports to the European markets flowing via Russia can force the European countries to look for other ways of energy imports including the Trans-Caspian pipeline project.

Officials of Kazakhstan’s Kazmunaygaz oil and gas company announced on 5 December their intention to raise prices for gas exports up to US$195 per 1,000 cubic meters, which exceeds the current prices by US$50. Turkmenistan has also increased the prices for its gas exports by the same amount. Uzbekistan too started talks on increasing its gas export prices.

At present, Gazprom sells the Central Asian gas to Europe at US$260 per 1,000 cubic meter. Under these circumstances, the Central Asian countries see the current prices for their gas exports rather low compared to the actual prices. The sharp increase in prices for Russia’s gas exports to other countries has made the gas-rich Central Asian countries to get interested in their own gas export prices.

Under such circumstances, it is quite natural that Europe is becoming much worried about such price rise for the gas on the threshold of the winter. However, the revival of the Trans-Caspian project also faces big problems, state run Iranian radio reported.

First of all, there are technical problems related to the construction of a sea bed pipeline as well as its funding. Second, the construction of the sea-bed pipeline can cause many problems for the sea environment. Third, the legal status of the sea has not been determined yet.

However, there are other routes for gas exports from the Caucasus and Central Asian countries. One of such gas export routes lies via the Islamic Republic of Iran. This route is more efficient, reliable and cost-effective.