China's CNPC, Kazakhstan's KazMunaiGas launch gas pipeline feasibility study

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China National Petroleum Corp and Kazakhstan's KazMunaiGas said they have jointly launched a feasiblity study covering a natural gas pipeline linking the two countries.

The study assumes construction launch in 2008 and completion of the first stage in 2009, with annual capacity of at least 10 bln cubic meters, KazMunaiGas managing director Mussabek Issaev said.

The study projects a second stage with annual capacity of at least 30 bln cu m for completion in 2012, Issaev said.