Iran has officially announced the start of Turkmenistan-Türkiye natural gas exports, marking a significant milestone in energy cooperation.
Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad confirmed that the gas flow had begun following a meeting with Iraq’s Electricity Minister Ziad Ali Fadhil to discuss cooperation in oil, gas, petrochemicals, and energy sectors.
Türkiye-Turkmenistan Energy Agreement Finalized After 27 Years
Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, stated that negotiations on natural gas trade between Türkiye and Turkmenistan, which began in 1998, have finally yielded results after 27 years.
Bayraktar recalled that the first official meeting took place on March 1, 2024, when President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov, Chairman of Turkmenistan’s Halk Maslahaty, at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. The discussions led to agreements to enhance cooperation in natural gas and petroleum trade, expressing mutual intent to transport Turkmenistan’s rich natural gas resources to Türkiye and beyond.
Following these agreements, Türkiye’s BOTAŞ and Turkmenistan’s Türkmengaz reached a deal to supply Turkmen gas to Türkiye. Bayraktar emphasized that since February 28, extensive technical and legal preparations have been made to facilitate the gas flow.
Turkmen Gas Supply to Türkiye Secured for Five Years
Minister Bayraktar highlighted that a key energy cooperation agreement was signed between BOTAŞ and Türkmengaz on February 11, marking a new era in energy relations. Under this deal:
- Türkiye will receive 1.3 billion cubic meters of Turkmen gas by the end of the year, meeting the natural gas needs of 1.5 million households.
- The agreement will be extended for five years, ensuring long-term energy cooperation.
- The gas will be delivered through a “swap” mechanism via Iran.
Strengthening Türkiye’s Role as a Natural Gas Hub
Minister Bayraktar emphasized that this deal is a critical step in Türkiye’s goal to become a regional energy hub. He noted that:
- Turkmen gas will diversify Türkiye’s energy imports and supply sources, reducing dependency on a single supplier.
- The agreement creates an alternative route for natural gas exports to Europe, reinforcing Türkiye’s geopolitical significance in global energy markets.
How the Turkmen Gas Will Reach Türkiye
- The gas will be transported via Turkmenistan’s Devletabad-Serahs-Hangeran Natural Gas Pipeline to Iran.
- It will then be delivered to Türkiye through a swap agreement.
- At the Iran-Türkiye gas connection point in Gürbulak, the gas will be received and integrated into Türkiye’s energy system.
This historic gas deal strengthens Türkiye’s position as a key player in regional energy trade, bringing long-term economic and strategic benefits.
Source: Bloomberght/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök