The Race for Oil in the Central Asia Republics Mr. Greg Stewart “Environmental Problems and Politics in Europe and Asia” Center for Russia, East Europe, Central Asia and Center for European Studies Summer 2005

The United States has seen oil prices increase at an alarming rate. For example a barrel of oil has gone from $35 a barrel to an all time high of $60 a barrel. - Michael Martinez, Associated Press 6/23/05

The are many US Oil Companies involved in creating an oil pipeline in Central Asia

A New Competitor??? On Thursday China's state-owned CNOOC Ltd. announced it was ready to pay $18.5 billion to acquire Unocal Corp. of El Segundo, California.

China’s Appetite for Resources Hits U.S. - New York Times 6/23/2005 The most significant Chinese deal to date was the acquisition by state- owned CNPC _ China's largest energy company _ of 60 percent of Kazakhstan's Aktobemunigaz, and a subsequent undertaking to build a $700 million pipeline to move the Kazakh crude into western China for refining.

Environmental Impact of Oil Pipeline No matter where oil and natural gas exploration and development are done, questions surrounding its environmental impact arise. However, at the core of this case, is the export of these commodities once they have been extracted and how that may impact the environment. Pipelines ideally are a safe, clean, and cheap method of petroleum transport, when properly maintained. Questions surrounding political conflict and the ability to maintain pipelines cloud all the options for Central Asia. For example, Turkmenistan would have problems exporting their petroleum products.

Environmental Impact of Caspian Sea “In addition, the rising Caspian Sea has heightened environmental concerns about the oil fields and pipelines in western Turkmenistan. The sea has expanded as much as 150 meters inland, flooding oil terminals, ports, and oil fields. Besides water damage, non-environmentally friendly drilling techniques and storage facilities are threatening the area with potential environmental disasters in the coming years. Water and waste treatment are other areas for potential investment.”- Dr. James R. Lee, American University