Türkiye, Turkmenistan eye pipeline through Caspian Sea to supply Europe

Türkiye and Turkmenistan have outlined an ambitious plan to increase their gas trade volume to 15 billion cubic meters (bcm) annually over the next 20 years, totaling 300 bcm. The Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Ministry emphasized the need for a dedicated pipeline to achieve this volume.

Initial steps and swap method

The two countries plan to begin with an initial volume of 2 bcm, utilizing a swap method with existing infrastructure. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced a two-day visit to Turkmenistan, where he met with top energy officials.

Pipeline through Caspian Sea

Bayraktar highlighted the strategic importance of constructing a pipeline through the Caspian Sea, which would significantly increase the volume of natural gas transported to Türkiye and subsequently to Europe.

The ultimate and most important step is to establish a long-term agreement for a pipeline through the Caspian Sea

Alparslan Bayraktar

Expanding natural gas storage

Bayraktar also pointed to potential areas of cooperation beyond transportation, such as natural gas storage. He mentioned Turkmenistan’s investment plans in this sector. He noted that Türkiye’s state-owned Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAS) has considerable expertise, with a current storage capacity of 6 bcm that is expected to double by 2028.

President Erdogan hints at pipeline for gas transfer

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously stated that transferring Turkmenistan’s gas to Türkiye and Europe via the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline Project (TANAP) is imminent. Additionally, a comprehensive agreement was signed earlier this year between Türkiye and Azerbaijan to expand the capacity of several natural gas pipelines, to bring additional gas volumes from the Caspian region to Europe by 2030.

Future prospects

Bayraktar also mentioned an agreement to transport Turkmenistan’s natural gas to Türkiye via Azerbaijan and Georgia, further solidifying the region’s role as a key energy corridor to Europe.