Russia-Kazakhstan-China Gas Pipeline

This article is part of the Global Fossil Infrastructure Tracker, a project of Global Energy Monitor.

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Russia-Kazakhstan-China Gas Pipeline is a proposed gas pipeline running from Russia to Kazakhstan and to China.

Location

The pipeline is proposed to run from Barnaul, Russia to Alashankou, China or Khorgos, China.

Project details

• Operator: QazaqGaz
• Owner: Gazprom, QazaqGaz
• Parent company: Gazprom, QazaqGaz
• Capacity: 40 bcm/y
• Length:
• Diameter:
• Status: Proposed
• Start year:
• Cost: KZT 1.9-2 trillion/ US$ 4.2-4.4 billion
• Financing:
• Associated infrastructure: Central Asia–China Gas Pipeline

Background

Gazprom is to complete a preliminary techno-economic viability report on the gas pipeline in July 2023, which is a part of the project to supply gas to northern and eastern parts of Kazakhstan. The route is preliminary, the project details may change. The pipeline may extend further to China, however the priority is to supply gas to Kazakh regions. Kazakhstan has been considering a few options to supply gas to northern and eastern regions, including an expansion of the Saryarka gas pipeline, a new Kostanay-Astana-Pavlodar-Semey-Oskemen gas pipeline, or Russian gas.

In May 2024, it was reported that the project roadmap had been signed. According to the roadmap, about 35 bcm/year of gas will be supplied to China. Kazakhstan will not only be transiting, but also purchasing Russian gas for the needs of its population (around 10 bcm/year). Negotiations on the price were ongoing, with all the details being worked out. The agreements reached will allow for the gasification of the eastern and northeastern regions of Kazakhstan.

Route

The pipeline is planned to be built along the route Barnaul – Rubtsovsk – Semey (with branches to Pavlodar and Ust-Kamenogorsk) – Alashankou – Khorgos. Extending the pipeline to Khorgos, where the existing Kazakhstan-China gas pipeline (part of the Central Asia–China Gas Pipeline) connects, will allow for the looping of the system for other gas operations. Alashankou will serve as the nearest exit from eastern Kazakhstan to China.