Business · Energy & Commodities · 4 hrs ago
Turkmenistan advances plans to expand gas export routes
Turkmenistan is pursuing new routes for its natural gas exports as China currently receives most of its gas.
The first 153-kilometer section of the TAPI pipeline, from southern Turkmenistan to Herat in western Afghanistan, is about 80 percent complete.
Officials expect that section to be finished by the end of 2026, while work on the next section across Afghanistan is a priority for 2027.
TAPI is intended to carry gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India, but officials have not given a date for when deliveries could begin.
The project could give Turkmenistan more customers beyond China, though its funding and construction plans are still being discussed.
Turkmenistan has also raised the priority of a proposed pipeline across the Caspian Sea, which has been discussed for decades but remains stalled over financing, gas volumes and border questions.
Next steps include planning TAPI's funding and construction, while Turkmenistan also seeks investment and cooperation with partners beyond China.
Turkmenistan is advancing plans to diversify its natural gas export routes through the TAPI pipeline and renewed interest in a trans-Caspian pipeline.
A Turkmengaz official said the first 153-kilometer section of TAPI, from southern Turkmenistan to Herat in Afghanistan, should be completed by the end of 2026.
About 80 percent of that section has been completed, and Turkmengaz plans to prioritize construction of TAPI’s second section in 2027.
The full project is intended to carry Turkmen gas through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India.
Turkmengaz deputy chairman Myrat Archayev said Turkmenistan now considers a trans-Caspian pipeline a priority, although financing, volumes and border questions remain unresolved.
- Who
- Turkmenistan and state-owned energy company Turkmengaz are advancing export-route plans. Afghan, Pakistani and Indian gas concerns also hold stakes in TAPI.
- What
- The plans include developing TAPI and considering a trans-Caspian pipeline.
- When
- The first TAPI section is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Turkmengaz plans to prioritize the second section in 2027.
- Where
- TAPI’s first section runs from Serhetabat in southern Turkmenistan to Herat, Afghanistan; the planned route continues across Afghanistan to Pakistan.
- Why
- Turkmenistan is seeking options to distribute its natural gas beyond its current main export destination, China.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov traveled to Herat and signed a letter of intent on developing a Turkmen gas distribution network in the Afghan region.
Turkmen and Afghan technical delegations met to begin working out the details of a gas supply arrangement.
Myrat Archayev said Turkmengaz would prioritize construction of TAPI’s second section in 2027.
The first section of TAPI is expected to be finished.
Turkmengaz plans to prioritize construction of TAPI’s second section.
- First TAPI section
- 153 kilometers, from Serhetabat to Herat
- Completion target
- End of 2026
- Progress on first section
- Roughly 80 percent complete
- TAPI Afghan section
- Projected length of 816 kilometers
- Turkmengaz deputy chairman
- Myrat Archayev
- TAPI stakeholders
- Afghan, Pakistani and Indian gas concerns each hold a 5 percent share
What people are saying
Nobody can give an exact date
The trans-Caspian pipeline is very relevant
There is always room for cooperation with other partners [outside of China].
Sources
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