Caspian is defined for purposes this paper as including the states of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. There are a number of alternative routes are currently under study that would bypass the Russian Federation. Most of these projects would have a negative economic impact on the Russia Federation and Russian pipeline and oil companies. The US government supports the East to West corridor . The USG also supports the development of a Trans Caspian Pipeline as a second line from Kazakhstan.
Iranian export routes Several export routes through Iran routes are under study.
Some involve exchanges or swaps. Others involve pipeline routes to marine terminals. USG representatives describe this as the second pipeline from Kazakhstan but obviously this is a misnomer since there is the existing export route through the Russian Federation. CPC is the second pipeline. The third pipeline from Kazakhstan would only be necessary if the existing routes are unwilling or unable to provide the service.