Türkiye and Turkmenistan plan to trade 300bn cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas over the next 20 years, with an annual trade volume of 15 bcm, Daily Sabah reported citing the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.
To achieve this target, the two countries recognize the need for a new pipeline. However, utilizing existing infrastructure, Türkiye and Turkmenistan plan to start with an initial volume of 2 bcm via a swap method.
The statement came after Minister Bayraktar’s two-day trip to Turkmenistan, where he met with energy officials. Bayraktar highlighted Türkiye’s initiative to transport Turkmenistan’s gas to Türkiye and then to Europe.
Bayraktar noted that Turkmenistan could initially export up to 2 bcm of natural gas to Türkiye annually, adding that several alternatives are under consideration to implement the project.
“One significant option is to construct a pipeline through the Caspian Sea, enabling a larger amount of natural gas to be transported to western markets, including Türkiye and Europe, under a long-term agreement,” he said.
Highlighting other areas of cooperation, Bayraktar mentioned Turkmenistan’s investment plans in natural gas storage.
“BOTAŞ (Turkish Petroleum Pipeline Corporation) has expertise and infrastructure in this area. We currently have approximately 6 bcm of natural gas storage capacity in Türkiye and aim to increase this to 12 bcm by 2028,” he added.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently stated that the transfer of Turkmenistan’s gas to Türkiye and Europe via the expanded Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline Project (TANAP) is imminent.
Earlier this year, Bayraktar and Azerbaijan’s Economy Minister signed an agreement to expand the capacity of several natural gas pipelines. Bayraktar highlighted that this agreement would allow for additional gas volumes from Azerbaijan and the Caspian region to be transported to Türkiye and Europe by 2030, though the specific volumes have yet to be announced.
Additionally, an agreement has been reached to transport Turkmenistan’s natural gas to Türkiye through Azerbaijan and Georgia, Bayraktar added.
