Bukhara–Tashkent–Bishkek–Almaty pipeline

The Bukhara–Tashkent–Bishkek–Almaty pipeline is Uzbekistan's main natural gas export pipeline.

Bukhara–Tashkent–Bishkek–Almaty pipeline
Location of Bukhara–Tashkent–Bishkek–Almaty pipeline
Location
Country	Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan
General direction	west–east
From	Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Passes through	Tashkent, Shymkent, Taraz, Bishkek
To	Almaty, Kazakhstan
General information
Type	natural gas
Partners	Uzbekneftegas, Kyrgyzgas, KazMunayGas
Operator	Uzbekneftegas, KyrKazGas, KazTransGas
Commissioned	1971
Technical information
Maximum discharge	22 billion cubic meters

History

Construction of the pipeline started in 1967. The pipeline reached Tashkent in 1968, Bishkek (then Frunze) in 1970 and Almaty in 1971.^[1]

Description

The diameter of the pipeline is 1,020 millimetres (40 in) and its annual capacity is almost 22 billion cubic meter (bcm) of natural gas.^[2] The Bukhara–Tashkent–Bishkek–Almaty pipeline is the main source of gas supply for Kyrgyzstan and southern part of Kazakhstan. It is possible that the pipeline will be connected with the planned Central Asia-China gas pipeline.^[3]

Operators

The Kazakhstan section of pipeline is operated by KazTransGas, a wholly owned subsidiary of KazMunayGas. The Kyrgyzstan section of the pipeline is operated by KyrKazGas, the joint venture of KazTransGas and Kyrgyzgas.

Future developments

The technical condition of the pipeline is alarming, particularly in Kyrgyzstan. Therefore, there are plans for construction of a second trunk gas pipeline and renovation of the existing pipeline.^[4]