### Analysis of Routes

Unlike most oil producing regions, the Caspian is landlocked, and its oil is not fungible until it reaches a port with access to ocean transport routes. However, Azerbaijani and Kazakh oil can be piped in almost any direction: north through Russia, east to China, south through Iran, or west through a number of routes.

Unlike oil, which once it is on tankers in open water can be sent anywhere in the world, natural gas is most often sent by dedicated pipeline to specific consumers. The three most likely destinations for Turkmen gas are Iran, Turkey and Europe, China and Japan, and Pakistan and India.

There are several transport options for Caspian oil and gas out of the region. The Caspian’s mix of ethnic and political factors, as well as its geographic and diplomatic influences, create a very complicated economic situation. Each of these routes must be examined given the political, geographic, ethnic, and security constraints of each option, including pricing and funding for pipelines.

Analysis of Routes Links