ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, November 3. Turkmenistan plans to increase its natural gas production to 116 billion cubic meters per year by 2029, Rustam Tekeyev, Head of the Gas Transportation and Supply Department at Turkmengaz State Concern, reports Trend.
He made the statement at the "Future of Turkmenistan's natural gas: new export routes and export potential" panel discussion within the 29th "Oil & Gas of Turkmenistan - 2024" International Conference & EXPO in Ashgabat.
"Under the socio-economic development program for 2022-2028, gas production is set to reach 116 billion cubic meters annually by the end of 2028," Tekayev said.
He also emphasized that exports will account for more than half of this output.
The official detailed several infrastructure projects to enhance Turkmengaz's operational capacity to support this expansion. Among these are new branches of the Shatlyk-Karakum and Karakum-Malai gas pipelines, as well as a new gas link between Naip-Deryalyk and Dovletabad-Deryalyk. Additionally, Turkmenistan is upgrading key sections of the Central Asia-Center-III gas pipeline.
A key part of this strategy is the construction of the Shatlyk-1 compressor station, which will ensure the transportation of 30 billion cubic meters of gas annually, enhancing both domestic and export capabilities.
With more than 71 billion tons of oil equivalent in hydrocarbon resources, including over 50 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, Turkmenistan ranks among the top four countries in proven natural gas reserves globally, alongside Russia, Iran, and Qatar. These resources position the country as a major player in the Asian energy market.
Turkmenistan produced 80.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas in 2023, a slight increase from the previous year's 80 billion cubic meters.