ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, October 21.
Turkmenistan is developing three natural gas export routes —
eastern, southern, and western — with a particular focus on
long-term contracts, the implementation of the TAPI gas pipeline,
and the use of Caspian infrastructure for the transit of energy
resources, said Myrat Archayev, Deputy Chairman for Exports and
Foreign Economic Ties at the state-owned Turkmengaz concern,
Trend's special
correspondent reports.


Archayev made the statement at the 31st International Conference
and Exhibition “Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan” (OGT 2026) in
Ashgabat.


According to him, the diversification of gas supplies serves the
interests of both buyers, who need access to multiple energy
sources, and suppliers, who are interested in expanding their sales
markets.


“That is precisely why we are simultaneously developing three
directions: east, south, and west,” Archayev noted.


Speaking about the eastern direction, he emphasized that the
Turkmenistan–China gas pipeline remains the most established
example of long-term energy cooperation. The pipeline has been in
operation since December 2009, and as of October 1, 2026, more than
477 billion cubic meters of natural gas had been delivered through
it.


Myrat Archayev also noted Turkmenistan’s long-standing
cooperation with the Malaysian company Petronas, which has been
operating in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea since 1996.


According to him, in 2025, the partnership was extended thanks
to a new production-sharing agreement for Block I and a long-term
gas purchase and sale agreement with “Turkmengaz.” In addition, the
service company ADNOC joined the project.


He added that “Turkmengaz” signed a confidentiality agreement
with Petronas to explore opportunities for cooperation in the
development of subsequent phases of the Galkynysh gas field,
including Phase 3.


Within the southern corridor, Archayev highlighted the
Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline, which
has a design capacity of 33 billion cubic meters of gas per
year.







According to him, the project is geared toward the South Asian
market, where demand for energy resources is growing rapidly.


Archayev also mentioned a memorandum signed on August 10, 2026,
between “Turkmengaz” and the Afghan state-owned company Afghan Gas.
The document concerns gas supply and the development of related
infrastructure in Herat Province.


Speaking about the western direction, the deputy chairman of
“Turkmengaz” stated Turkmenistan’s readiness to offer Caspian
transport and logistics infrastructure, including the Turkmenbashi
International Seaport, for the transit of energy resources on
mutually beneficial terms.


He recalled that the approach to multi-vector transit of energy
resources across the Caspian Sea was outlined by the President of
Turkmenistan at a consultative meeting of the heads of state of
Central Asia and Azerbaijan, held on October 8, 2026, in Awaza.


According to Archayev, diversification is not limited to gas
pipelines but also involves the development of electricity supply
projects, which will enable the region to reduce its dependence on
fluctuations in global energy markets.


He emphasized that the implementation of new energy projects
requires the systematic determination of technical parameters, the
negotiation of commercial and legal terms, and only then the making
of investment decisions.


“Turkmenistan is open to dialogue and ready to consider specific
proposals,” Archayev concluded.