Gazprom, CNPC should discuss building pipeline via Mongolia

ULAN BATOR, Sep 3 (PRIME) – Mongolia’s proposal to build a pipeline from Russia to China through its territory must be discussed by Gazprom and CNPC, Natural Resources Minister Sergei Donskoi said in a news conference Wednesday.

“The issue has to be discussed at the companies’ level in the first place, and consequently they must provide assessment and put their own questions, conditions, which the Mongolian side is to answer,” Donskoi said.

Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj suggested Russia construct a gas transit pipeline through Mongolia’s territory, as it will be a short and safe way for the pipeline.

The proposal is attractive, as the construction will be done primarily in Mongolia’s plain part, decreasing the number of compressors, but the pipeline will have to bypass the country’s protected areas. The issue has been discussed since September-November 2013, Donskoi said.

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