Turkey is in negotiations to extend its natural gas supply agreement with Turkmenistan for another five years, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar revealed in an interview with Hurriyet on Tuesday. The discussions are part of Turkey’s broader strategy to secure a stable and long-term energy supply. Officials anticipate finalizing the deal before the end of the year.
High-Level Talks Underway in Ankara
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz are set to meet with Turkmen officials in Ankara later today. The meeting is expected to cover a range of energy cooperation topics, including the finalized structure of the extended gas supply agreement.
Earlier this month, Minister Bayraktar announced that Turkey and Turkmenistan had already signed an initial agreement for gas imports. The deal, formalized between Turkey’s state-owned pipeline operator BOTAŞ and Turkmenistan’s state-owned company Turkmengaz, will enable the transportation of 1.3 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas annually via Iran. The agreement is slated to take effect on March 1, marking a significant milestone in regional energy cooperation.
Long-Term Strategy for Energy Security
Bayraktar emphasized Turkey’s ambition to secure a stable natural gas supply through a long-term swap agreement with Turkmenistan. “We want to do this on a long-term basis. Our goal is a five-year swap agreement, and we are working towards finalizing it this year,” he stated.
Turkey consumes over 50 bcm of natural gas annually, relying on multiple sources, including pipeline imports from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran, as well as liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments from various suppliers. Diversifying and securing long-term energy resources is a key component of Turkey’s energy policy, particularly as global energy markets remain volatile.
Energy Diversification and Regional Cooperation
The growing energy partnership between Turkey and Turkmenistan is crucial in strengthening energy security for both nations. While Turkmenistan holds some of the world’s largest natural gas reserves, its export routes remain limited due to geographic constraints. Turkey, strategically positioned as an energy transit hub, provides a critical outlet for Turkmenistan’s gas to reach European and international markets.
The existing gas supply deal, which utilizes Iran’s infrastructure for transit, is an important step in establishing a more permanent and extensive energy corridor. Experts suggest that this arrangement could pave the way for additional infrastructure investments, including a direct pipeline project between the two nations in the future.
Turkey’s Expanding Energy Exploration Efforts
In addition to securing gas imports, Turkey is actively pursuing oil and gas exploration opportunities abroad. Minister Bayraktar confirmed that Turkey aims to sign a license agreement for hydrocarbon exploration in Somalia on March 1. This initiative is part of a broader agreement between Turkey and Somalia, reflecting Turkey’s expanding footprint in international energy projects.
As Turkey continues to prioritize energy security and diversification, the proposed five-year gas supply extension with Turkmenistan stands as a crucial step in its broader strategy. The upcoming high-level discussions in Ankara are expected to solidify Turkey’s role as a key player in the regional energy landscape. If successful, the long-term swap agreement could significantly enhance energy stability for both nations.
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