The first seminar under the Project Technologies and Methods of Gas Leak Prevention in Central Asia Gas Transport Systems was held in Ashgabat in the framework of the EU co-operation programme for Central Asia. The project is financed by British WYGI that has accomplished over 50 European projects in the CIS countries including 15 projects – in Central Asia. The project aim is to provide the gas transport companies and enterprises with the knowledge in applying the methods and technologies for detection, measurement and elimination of gas leaks when transporting. This two-year project provides technical assistance to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in addressing this important problem. The pilot areas with about a hundred kilometres of the gas-main pipeline and a compressor or measuring station had been selected in each country. A team of the specialists had carried out the activities demonstrating the effective application of the latest methods of gas leak detection and measurement and use of relevant equipment. Such equipment will be delivered to the countries of the region in early 2009 in the framework of the European project.

In Turkmenistan the international project team of the experts from Russia, the United States and Azerbaijan had carried out the works in collaboration with the Turkmen specialists in the pilot area from Belek to Garabogaz. During the on-site visits the first method of know-how transferring to local personnel – directly when inspecting the gas pipelines was applied. The second method of knowledge and training transfer stipulates for a series of the seminars for various groups of gas industry workers in Turkmenistan.

Addressing the seminar Project Director Mr. John Bacharach said that this project was an important step towards developing co-operation between the European Union and the Central Asian countries in the key energy sector and briefed on the major aspects of joint activity. An expert R. Graham (Scotland) presented the case study on the economic, natural and social consequences of possible emergencies. The samples of the state-of-art equipment for detecting and measuring gas leaks were presented at the seminar. The seminar was a vivid evidence of actively developed Turkmenistan-European Union partnership. The fact of holding and the theme of the seminar comply with the priorities of the country which try to meet the international standards, to apply progressive environmentally friendly technologies and effective management of national economy especially the strategic oil and gas sector. To reduce gas leaks means preservation of the valuable natural resources and substantial raise in the national income, the concern for the health of the people and environment. Eventually, this issue is related to the technical aspects of security of transnational energy infrastructure. The initiative to ensure security of transnational energy infrastructure was put forward by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and met with the wide political support worldwide. In this regard the EU regional project aimed at reducing gas leaks in the Central Asia gas transport systems can be viewed as a step towards implementing the Turkmen leader’s initiative, as the evidence o fits profound significance and worldwide recognition.