Turkmenistan to do defectoscopy of gas pipeline.

13/9 Tass 62

TURKMENBASHI, September 13 (ITAR-TASS) -- Turkmenistan will ask
Gazprom for a short time-out for doing defectoscopy of the gas pipeline,
by which Turkmen gas is delivered to Russia. No more problems are left
after the technogenous accident, after which gas deliveries were
suspended, Turkmenistani President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov said.
"So far as the technogenous accident is concerned, as well as the
elimination of its consequences, Turkmengaz is now taking a time-out from
Gazprom for doing maintenance work," Berdymukhamedov said during his talks
with President Dmitry Medvedev. "The last defectoscopy of pipes is now
going on, and I think no questions have been left: It is clear to all that
the gas price will be fixed according to the price formula."
Commenting on the situation, Sergei Prikhodko, assistant to the
Russian President, said that contacts between experts would be started
within the coming two weeks. "Contacts between Gazprom and the
corresponding agencies of Turkmenistan will be held within the coming
weeks for coordinating the parameters of cooperation in the gas sphere,
which was not stopped in the past and is not being stopped now. Technical
problems, connected with the depreciation of the pipeline network, have
actually been resolved," he explained.
Responding to questions of journalists, Prikhodko said that time
limits of the beginning of active cooperation had not been mentioned at
the meeting. "This was not on the agenda of the meeting," he explained.
Responding to the question about possible changes of the gas price,
Prikhodko said: "I proceed from the assumption that market prices are
changing."
"Turkmenistan would like to invite Gazprom to take part in the
examination of the pipeline network and of the equipment, connected with
gas transportation," he added.
-0-rom/kud