Spring Breeze 1991

"Without further delay, I will transfer to Ashgabat now." Lu Sen picked up the satellite phone and said.

Yakov stood up and said, "Then I will rush to Ashgabat now."

Nodding his head, Lin Xiaohu said, "Let's prepare separately, Mr. Yao may pass in a few days."

Don't talk nonsense, let's start separately.

Two years later, Yao Yuan's Boeing 747 plane landed at Ashgabat International Airport.As a member of the former Soviet Union, Turkmenistan does not have a strong sense of existence.The country along the Caspian Sea is one of the driest places in the world, with few crops but rich oil and gas resources.

The oil and gas industry is the pillar industry of the country,

When mentioning Turkmenistan, people will first think of its wool carpets, which are world-famous and hand-woven, which is a luxury in the traditional sense.

Then the famous gate of hell comes to mind.

In 1971, when Soviet geologists were conducting exploration, they accidentally discovered a natural underground cave full of natural gas in the middle of the Karakum Desert.After the soil collapsed, a large hole about 100 meters in diameter appeared.

In order to prevent the leakage of toxic gas, they ignited the leaked natural gas. Unexpectedly, this burning has been burning for decades, and it has not been extinguished until now.This is the famous gate of hell.

The Turkmenistan government tries every year to extinguish Hell's Gate, but without success.

In addition, people have more impressions of Turkmenistan.

This is Yaoyuan's first stop, and it is also the first country that the Buck-Craft oil pipeline lands in after crossing the Caspian Sea eastward.

According to the plan, Dongfang Petroleum hopes to obtain the oil fields in Turkmenistan, and the extracted oil will be transported back to China through the Buck-Korean oil pipeline.

This is not just as simple as building oil pipelines.

Therefore, a large sum of money needs to be spent, and this is the purpose of Lin Wei's accompanying trip this time. Without him, Yao Yuan can't use a large sum of money.

"From a geographical point of view, Turkmenistan is in the center of Central Asia, and its location is very important. However, the country's natural environment is relatively harsh, but it is rich in oil and natural gas resources. Especially natural gas reserves rank fifth in the world, which is also their main economy. source."

On the way from the airport to the hotel, Yao Yuan introduced the situation of Turkmenistan to everyone.

He smiled and said, "You probably don't have much impression of this country, but you must know the hard-earned horses."

"I know, I know. It is mentioned in martial arts novels that bloody horses can travel thousands of miles a day." Lin Wei nodded repeatedly, looking curiously at the desolate surroundings along the way, which was very different from the colorful Baku area.

Yao Yuan said, "Turkmenistan is the country of origin of sweaty horses. They are called Akhal Teke horses. In ancient China they were called Tianma. The two expeditions of the Han Dynasty were to protect Tianma. This kind of horse can endure high temperature and is very good at running long distances. "

"It is said that Genghis Khan's expedition came to Turkmenistan to obtain Pegasus horses, and then drove all the way into Europe to drink the horses from the Danube River."

Lin Wei lacks historical knowledge, but he is clear about the history of Genghis Khan's expedition, which is clearly written in the junior high school history textbook.

"The Mongolian iron cavalry is really powerful, but it's a pity that we didn't defend it later. Otherwise, most of Europe, the whole of Central Asia and part of Russia are now our territory." Lin Wei said.

Yao Yuan smiled and shook his head, not intending to discuss historical issues.

The convoy drove into Ashgabat, which is the capital of Turkmenistan and the most prosperous and most developed city with a population of only 100 million and an area of ​​only 300 square kilometers, which is not as large as the urban area of ​​Nangang.

But it is a new city. The urban planning and buildings are basically picked up in the Soviet period. Because it is an Islamic sect, there are many churches with religious characteristics in the local area.

Generally speaking, as the capital of the country, Ashgabat is relatively small. Of course, this is relative to China.For a landlocked country whose land area is not much larger than the area under the jurisdiction of the capital, Ashgabat is considered a pretty good capital.

It should be pointed out that, as the only international airport in the country, Ashgabat International Airport has three runways, the longest of which is 3800 meters long, which can take off and land any kind of aircraft in the world today.

When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, Ashgabat was a very important logistics base.

Yao Yuan and his group stayed at the Grand Turkmen Hotel next to Turkmen Avenue. This is the city center, just on the side of the Monument Square. The location is very good, and it is also convenient for security guards.

The deputy mayor of Ashgabat, Sherdar, came to see Yao Yuan, held Yao Yuan's hand for a while, and then the two started talking directly.

Sheldar is the local public relations of Dongfang Petroleum, and this is also the highest-ranking person in the local government that Yao Yuan can contact.

In the oil and gas industry, the management of local government relations is very important.For example, France's Total has more than one billion US dollars in public relations funds every year, and the money is used to open up various local relationships.

Camille, who has resigned from France's Total, joined Orient Petroleum Company as the manager of the overseas public relations department. Sherdar is Camille's first achievement after joining Orient Petroleum Company.

Camille has already headed to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.

Sheldall didn't talk nonsense, and said directly, "Mr. Yao, I have already submitted a proposal. There should be no problem with the oil pipeline crossing the border. However, the government may require Southern Industrial to provide a package of economic cooperation plans. This is also an international practice in oil trade."

"A package of economic cooperation is no problem, but there must be corresponding oil projects. The transit of oil pipelines is beneficial to Turkmenistan, and I believe President Alipov will agree." Yao Yuan said.

After a pause, he asked, "Can I see President Alipov?"

"I'm arranging this matter, Mr. Yao, you may not know the situation very well, and members of parliament are also very important." Sheldall said after deliberation.

Yao Yuan nodded slightly, "Mr. Sherdar, I came here this time to discuss a package of economic cooperation projects with your government, including the cooperative development of oil and natural gas. As you know, I have already cooperated with the Azerbaijani government. Dongfang Petroleum holds 30.00% stake in Azerbaijan State Oil Company.”

"The joint venture to establish a national oil company is also suitable for Turkmenistan."

Sherdar said, "Yes, please rest assured, Mr. Yao, I will definitely do my best to facilitate this matter. But President Alipov may have other considerations, and I have not received definite information yet. Anyway, you and Alipov I will arrange a meeting with President Husband as soon as possible."

Yao Yuan didn't say anything, and pointed to the suitcase beside him.

Sheldall left with his suitcase.

"This person is unreliable." Yao Yuan said to Lin Wei in a deep voice.

Lin Wei nodded and said, "I also think it's unreliable, the money is wasted."

Yao Yuan said to Lin Xiaohu, "Xiaohu, ask Yakov to check."

"it is good."

Lin Xiaohu went right away.