Sept. 11, 2023
2529
As one of the basic sectors of the national economy of Turkmenistan, the oil and gas industry is aimed at the comprehensive development of the oil and gas complex, its harmonious integration into the global energy system, and the creation of a new sector - the oil-and-gas-chemical industry in order to rationally use natural resources. Large-scale investment projects being carried out in this system are not only economically beneficial, but they are also of great importance in strengthening regional and global energy security.
Maintaining cooperation with international financial organizations in the development of the oil and gas chemical industry is a strategic area in the implementation of the economic policy of Turkmenistan. Consistent work is underway to attract state and foreign capital to the manufacturing sector. At the same time, large investments are made in the oil and gas industry to develop priority and processing industries. With the development of the gas-chemical industry, two plants were built and put into operation, which have no equivalents in the region.
In October 2018, a large gas-chemical complex for the production of polyethylene and polypropylene was opened in Kiyanly. This investment project was completed by the State Concern “Turkmengaz” with the participation of Korean and Japanese companies. The production capacity of the complex allows processing 5 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. At this enterprise, where the most advanced technologies have been introduced, is capable of producing more than 300 thousand tons of polyethylene and over 70 thousand tons of polypropylene annually. Substances necessary for the production of these products, such as ethane and propane, are obtained from natural gas and the remaining pure gas is supplied to gas pipeline systems as fuel.
The plant for the production of gasoline from natural gas opened in June 2019 in the Akhal Velayat, was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the first plant of this type in the world. This large-scale enterprise has also been awarded the “Eco-Friendly” certificate by the US Environmental Defense Fund, and the “Innovation Technology” certificate and Sign by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. The plant is capable of processing 1 billion 785 million cubic meters of gas per year and producing 600.000 tons of ECO-93 motor fuel, as well as 12.000 tons of purified diesel fuel and 115.000 tons of liquefied gas.
Development of the country’s petrochemical industry has a positive impact on economic growth through diversification. Work is underway at the oil refinery complex of Turkmenbashy to process oil and gas condensate, produce various oil and petrochemical products and sell them to the domestic and foreign markets. The production facilities of the refineries complex include a number of primary and secondary oil refining units. High-quality oil and petrochemical products of the complex are exported to Europe, Asia and states of the Middle East. They are also used as raw materials and semi-raw materials in the production of building materials, new industrial and household goods, and finished products in daily activities. For example, the Closed Joint-Stock Company “Turkmenturba” produces polyethylene and polypropylene pipes with a diameter of 20 to 500 millimeters. Raw materials for the production are delivered from the oil refinery complex of Turkmenbashy and several types of polyethylene, including denser polyethylene used in the production of high-pressure pipes, from the gas chemical enterprise in Kiyanly.
At the Institute of Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan a lot of work is done as part of the Implementation Plan of the “State Program for the Comprehensive Development of Chemical Science and Technology in Turkmenistan for 2021-2025” in the field of scientific improvement of the oil and-gas-chemical industry in the country. Program activities are carried out in the field of developing governing documents, technological regulations for production, as well as environmental passports, scientific foundations for processing industrial waste from these plants and enterprises, studying the physical and chemical properties of raw materials used in new technologies and conducting various other research activities. The scientific foundations of production processes in the oil-andgas-chemical industry were fully studied and work was arranged to train young personnel in this area.
It should also be noted that in order to implement the “State program to support small and medium-sized businesses in Turkmenistan for 2018-2024”, approved in virtue of the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan, based on the wishes and orders of business people and entrepreneurs who are members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, the Institute of Chemistry conducts scientific research and analytical activities to create new industries using local raw materials, develop their technologies, upgrade operating - industries and use local import-substituting raw materials.
Program work is carried out in the country to develop the scientific system. Scientists and experienced specialists of the Institute of Chemistry approach the Day of Science, celebrated annually on June 12, with new labor successes. The Esteemed President provides great opportunities for continuous strengthening and improvement of the material and technical resources of research institutions of the -Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan. Laboratories with high-quality equipment, - fully meet the requirements of epoch time and science. The fact that the scientific research activities, being carried out by scientists of the Institute of Chemistry to introduce the latest achievements of science and technology contribute to the development of the country’s oil-gas-chemical industry, arouses a sense of pride and inspires to achieve ments.
Hallymyrat ATAEV,
Director of the Institute of Chemistry,
Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan,
Candidate of Chemical Sciences