Turkey Negotiates Extension of Natural Gas Deal with Turkmenistan

Turkey is moving forward with negotiations to extend a key natural gas swap agreement with Turkmenistan, aimed at bolstering its energy security and enhancing strategic cooperation with the Central Asian country. The agreement, which is set to begin on March 1, 2025, will see the Turkish state-owned BOTAS and Turkmengaz working together to ensure the flow of natural gas to Turkey, which is currently dependent on imports from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran.

Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced that, as part of this deal, gas flows from Turkmenistan would be delivered through Iran, with 1.3 billion cubic meters expected to be supplied this year. Bayraktar emphasized that this agreement, which has been in the works for several years, would not only enhance Turkey’s natural gas supply security but also strengthen the long-term energy relationship between Turkey and Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan, a country rich in natural gas resources, has been exploring new export routes, particularly as Russian gas flows to Europe have decreased due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. As part of its strategy, Turkmenistan has been negotiating deals with Turkey and other international markets to supply gas through swap agreements, with a focus on increasing exports to regions like Europe and Afghanistan.

In addition to the swap agreement with Turkmenistan, Turkey is also making strides to boost its own natural gas production. The country has made significant discoveries in its Black Sea operations, with plans to double daily gas production by 2026 to 20 million cubic meters. This would allow Turkey to cover 15% of its gas consumption from domestic sources, further enhancing its energy independence.