Good intentions: Turkmenistan's natural gas could supplement Azerbaijan’s gas supply to Europe via the Southern Gas Corridor

According to official media reports from Turkmenistan, former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said in an interview with Al Arabiya during his visit to the United States in February that the Caspian-crossing gas pipeline project would be one of the most important directions for achieving energy export diversification and strengthening energy security across the European continent.

The Caspian-crossing gas pipeline is a proposed infrastructure project designed to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan across the Caspian Sea, ultimately connecting with the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC).

The Southern Gas Corridor aims to reduce Europe’s reliance on Russian natural gas by delivering Caspian region gas to European markets and achieve energy supply diversification across the continent. Its primary source is the Shah Deniz gas field located in the Caspian Sea, situated in Azerbaijan. This gas corridor extends from Azerbaijan through Georgia and Turkey to Greece, Albania, and Italy.

Turkmenistan is widely regarded as a potential supplementary supplier to the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC). If Azerbaijan alone cannot meet Europe’s growing demand for gas, Turkmenistan’s importance will become increasingly evident.

Berdimuhamedov stated that progress on the Caspian-crossing gas pipeline project requires resolving international legal issues, particularly those related to seabed demarcation in the Caspian Sea. To address this, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan have established a joint working committee.

"We hope the work of this committee will yield significant practical outcomes," he said.

Berdimuhamedov also emphasized Turkmenistan’s abundant oil and gas resources, noting that the country’s proven natural gas reserves rank fourth globally.

"In recent years, most of Turkmenistan’s natural gas exports have gone to Russia, with annual imports reaching up to 40 billion cubic meters. Currently, China is our main buyer of natural gas, with similar volumes being supplied," Berdimuhamedov said.

He added that Turkmenistan’s diversification policy enables it to supply gas within the region through gas swap arrangements with Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and other neighboring countries.

Turkey is also considered a key conduit for Turkmenistan’s potential gas exports to Europe.

Earlier, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay stated that Turkmenistan’s gas could be transported via the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), which operates in cooperation with Azerbaijan. This pipeline spans Turkey and forms the core component of the Southern Gas Corridor.

Oktay said he believes negotiations between Turkey’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the state-owned national energy company BOTAŞ, and Turkmenistan’s State Gas Company Türkmengaz will soon yield positive results.

He also noted that Turkey’s state-owned enterprises are prepared to participate in the development of hydrocarbon resources at the jointly developed Dostluk oil and gas field in the Caspian Sea between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.

On March 3, Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey Zafar Demirjan emphasized the strategic importance of the corridor during the 12th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council held in Baku.

Demirjan said: "All parties fully recognize the crucial role played by the Southern Gas Corridor in ensuring long-term energy supply security. This valuable concept is evolving into a green energy corridor linking Caucasus and Central Asian nations with Europe. Turkey is not only the optimal route for gas transportation but also the best pathway for electricity transmission."

At the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council meeting, participants highlighted the growing significance of the system in supplying Azerbaijani gas to European markets. According to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Energy, the country supplied 12.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas to EU member states in 2025—a 53.8% increase compared to 2021.

At the same meeting, EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen stated that Caspian gas has significantly reduced Europe’s dependence on Russian energy supplies.

"Thanks to Caspian gas, the EU’s reliance on Russian natural gas has dropped from 45% of total imports in 2022 to just 12% in 2025—and this number will continue to decline," Jørgensen said. "Within less than two years, the remaining 35 billion cubic meters of Russian gas we still import annually will no longer enter our market."

Jørgensen also reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity with the Black Sea region, Turkey, South Caucasus, and Central Asia. He said: "The EU stands ready to explore more opportunities to strengthen energy connectivity and energy transition in the region, including through the mobilization of guarantees and blended financing instruments."

Source: Central Asia Times

Author: Sergey Guan

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861768798810184/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.