Turkmenistan to Commence Natural Gas Shipments to Turkey Through Iran Arrangement
Turkmenistan is set to commence natural gas shipments to Turkey under a swap agreement involving Iran. This method entails Turkmenistan shipping gas to Iran, which will then supply Turkey. The arrangement is anticipated to start on March 1, 2025, with an initial delivery volume of 2 bcm. Turkey’s long-term vision includes establishing itself as a gas hub for Europe, though reliance on Iran raises concerns for Turkmenistan’s energy independence.
Turkmenistan is poised to initiate natural gas shipments to Turkey shortly, following extensive discussions about the logistics involved. Recent developments indicate a swap agreement has been established between Turkmenistan and Turkey, utilizing Iran as a transit country. The head of Turkmenistan’s Halk Maslahaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, confirmed this arrangement after a discussion with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, which includes moving gas through Iran to Turkey’s BOTAS company.
As there is currently no direct pipeline from Turkmenistan to Turkey, the swap entails Turkmenistan delivering gas to Iran, which, in turn, will supply an equivalent volume to Turkey. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar recently announced plans for gas flow to commence on March 1, 2025. While specific volumes have not been detailed in this agreement, officials have previously anticipated an initial supply of approximately 2 billion cubic meters (bcm).
Turkey has been advocating for this arrangement for over two years, with aspirations to transform the country into a strategic gas hub for Europe. Earlier discussions involving Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov aimed to establish a pipeline connecting Turkmen gas to Azerbaijan and, subsequently, Turkey. Unfortunately, these negotiations did not yield a comprehensive agreement, leading to a focus on alternative delivery methods.
Despite the current reliance on swap arrangements through Iran, Turkish officials have not abandoned plans for a direct pipeline that could boost Turkmen gas supplies to Turkey up to 15 bcm. Turkish Ambassador to Ashgabat, Ahmet Demirok, previously indicated Turkey’s goal of acquiring 300 bcm of Turkmen gas over the next two decades. While this agreement signifies progress for Turkmenistan, it underscores the country’s growing dependence on Iran.
In conclusion, the imminent start of Turkmen natural gas shipments to Turkey, facilitated through an Iranian swap agreement, marks a significant development in regional energy dynamics. While this agreement addresses immediate export needs for Turkmenistan, it simultaneously raises concerns regarding reliance on Iran, both politically and infrastructurally. Future success hinges on the stability and maintenance of the existing pipeline infrastructure between Iran and Turkmenistan, alongside fostering mutually beneficial relations between the nations involved.
Original Source: timesca.com
