Ulaanbaatar
Feasibility study for natural gas pipeline project at 70 percent
Politics
Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. At the regular Cabinet meeting that took place today on November 10, a presentation was done on the construction project for the natural gas pipeline connecting Russia and China through the territory of Mongolia, reported Deputy Prime Minister S.Amarsaikhan.
The Prime Minister of Mongolia signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the gas pipeline during his visit to the Russian Federation in December 2019. Following the establishment of a memorandum between the two sides later in August 2020, works were launched to carry out a feasibility study.
As of today, the progress of the feasibility study is at 70 percent. During a telephone conversation between the two countries’ Prime Ministers yesterday on November 9, they exchanged information on mutually profitable, large-scale projects to be implemented on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Russia, and gave orders to corresponding ministers, noted the Deputy PM.
On March 12, board members of Gazprom company of Russia worked in Mongolia to hold meetings with authorities led by the Deputy Prime Minister, approving an action plan. As of currently, the route for the 960.5-km gas pipeline has been defined. Following the completion of the feasibility study by the end of this year, engineers and technicians will begin to work on the project to ensure preparations within the next two years.
The project’s construction work will officially start in 2024.
Once the feasibility study is completed, an agreement will be established between the three countries’ governments on the tariff and fee regulations. Furthermore, bills are required to be drafted for natural gas pipelines in Mongolia.
Currently, discussions are being held with executives of Gazprom company about the matter regarding Mongolia being a consumer country alongside having the natural gas pipeline pass through its territory. Corresponding decisions are planned to be made by the National Security Council after detailed studies are carried out on domestic demands for natural gas.
