At a recent session during the OGT 2026 International conference in Ashgabat, Myrat Archayev, Deputy Chairman of the State Concern “Turkmengas,” delivered a detailed presentation on the country’s gas supplies diversification projects, with a particular focus on the development of transport routes and the expansion of the resource base.
Key Highlights from the remarks:
The TAPI Project (Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India Pipeline):
Myrat Archayev provided details on the implementation of this strategic gas pipeline. The length of the Afghan section of the route from Serhetabat to Herat is 153 kilometers, and its construction began on 11 September 2024. About 700 Turkmen specialists and more than 300 units of special equipment are working along the route. Gas deliveries from this section are planned to start in 2027.
Principles of Reliability and Predictable Policy
As Archayev stressed, Turkmenistan understands the reliability route as consisting of three things:
First: deed on the ground, not decoration of intent.
Second: predictable policy. The permanent neutrality status of Turkmenistan has been confirmed three times by the resolutions of UN General Assembly. International law and neutrality of Turkmenistan has recently set out the legal basis of the policy. For our partners this means clear rules: fair reboot, good neighborliness and fulfillment of agreements.
Third: the resource base. Turkmenistan ranks among the countries with the largest natural gas reserves in the world, with the core of this base being the giant Galkynysh field. It is being developed in stages to provide stable supplies to both domestic and export markets. Work is currently ongoing on the subsequent phases of the field’s development.
Diversification of Export Directions (East, West, South):
Eastern Direction: The Turkmenistan–China gas pipeline has been in operation since December 2009 (nearly 17 years), delivering over 477 billion cubic meters of gas. Furthermore, cooperation with Petronas continues, with new production-sharing agreements for Block 1 and long-term gas sales agreements signed in 2024.
Western Direction: “Turkmenistan is ready to offer its Caspian infrastructure, including the Port of Turkmenbashi, with the common interest and the mutual beneficial basis”, Archayev said.
Southern Direction: The TAPI project, with a designed capacity of 33 billion cubic meters of gas per year, is designed to meet the rapidly growing energy demand in South Asia.
In conclusion, Myrat Archayev stated that long-term success and major energy initiatives are possible only through absolute trust between partners, reaffirming that Turkmenistan remains open to dialogue and ready to consider specific proposals.///nCa, 21 October 2026