Gas Pipelines - The Times Of Central Asia

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First Kilometers of TAPI Gas Pipeline Completed in Afghanistan

The first three kilometers of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline have been successfully laid in Afghanistan, according to Mohammed Murad Amanov, the executive director of TAPI Pipeline Company Ltd. Amanov stated that the construction is progressing rapidly, raising hopes for the timely completion of the project. Deputy Governor of Herat Province, Nakibullah Ayub, visited the construction site and confirmed that local authorities are fully prepared to support the project's swift advancement. So far, 3.4 kilometers of the pipeline route in Afghanistan have been prepared, aligning with the established schedule. The Afghan section of the TAPI pipeline, which spans 821 kilometers, officially began construction in September 2024. To date, technical surveys have been completed on 153 kilometers of the route, and the initial three kilometers of pipeline were laid within four months. TAPI is a landmark regional energy project that aims to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan’s Galkynysh gas fields to consumers in Pakistan and India, passing through Afghanistan. The project is expected to enhance economic stability in the region and attract significant foreign investment. Economic experts have highlighted the strategic importance of the TAPI pipeline for Afghanistan. Analyst Mohammad Asif Stanekzai remarked that the project could boost Afghanistan’s economic credibility and pave the way for increased foreign capital inflows. Additionally, Afghanistan is projected to earn approximately $400 million annually in transit fees. Last week, Afghanistan’s Acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum, Hidayatullah Badri, held discussions in Kabul with Mohammed Murad Amanov about the progress of the TAPI pipeline and strategies to expedite the remaining work.

Gas Pipelines Natural gas Export of Natural Gas TAPI Afghanistan

Turkmenistan and Afghanistan to Accelerate TAPI Gas Pipeline Project

During a working visit to Afghanistan on December 15, Turkmenistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rashid Meredov, met with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, to review the progress of major energy, transport, and infrastructure projects involving Turkmenistan in Afghanistan, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry reported. The ministers inspected the ongoing construction of the Afghan section of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) natural gas pipeline and agreed to accelerate its implementation, according to TOLOnews. Turkmenistan has already completed its section of the TAPI pipeline, designed to transport 33 billion cubic meters of Turkmen natural gas annually to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. The $10 billion TAPI project will span 1,814 kilometers, with 816 kilometers crossing Afghanistan. The pipeline will help meet Afghanistan’s domestic gas needs while generating approximately $450 million annually in transit fees. The pipeline will extend from Afghanistan to Quetta and Multan in Pakistan before reaching Fazilka in India. As part of the visit, the Turkmen foreign minister also inspected the construction of a fiber-optic communication line and a warehouse complex at the dry port of Turgundi railway station, located in Afghanistan’s northern Herat Province. Meredov further assessed progress on the Turgundi-Sanabar section of the Turgundi-Herat railroad. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that construction of the Afghan section of the TAPI pipeline officially began on September 11, 2024. Once operational, the TAPI pipeline will enable Turkmenistan — currently exporting natural gas primarily to China — to diversify its export routes. The project aligns with Turkmenistan’s broader plans to deliver gas across the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Europe.

Gas Pipelines Energy Security Energy Infrastructure Gas Natural gas Export of Natural Gas Turkmenistan Energy

Uzbekistan Looks to Turkmen Gas to Tackle Winter Energy Crisis

Uzbekistan has faced persistent gas and electricity shortages for over 25 years, leaving many citizens to rely on stoves and makeshift heating systems to stay warm during harsh winters. In 2024 alone, 82 people have died, and another 80 remain in serious condition due to carbon monoxide poisoning. The situation could improve if Uzbekistan shifts to importing natural gas from Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan recently declined to renew its gas contract with Russia, citing its strategy to diversify exports and secure better prices. With natural gas reserves estimated at 17.5 trillion cubic meters, Turkmenistan is a regional energy powerhouse, supplying significant volumes to China while maintaining domestic stability. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan’s gas production has declined, exacerbating its energy crisis. Despite ranking 17th globally in terms of gas reserves, Uzbekistan produced only 33.48 billion cubic meters of natural gas between January and September 2024 - 4.8% less than during the same period last year. At the same time, energy demand is rising due to population growth and a 6% economic expansion. Experts suggest that prioritizing imports from Turkmenistan could alleviate Uzbekistan’s energy woes. Former Energy Minister Anvamirzo Khusainov highlights the 1,500-kilometer border shared by the two countries and the existing pipeline infrastructure that could facilitate Turkmen gas imports. However, such a decision would require Uzbekistan to reduce its historical reliance on Russia - a move that carries significant political implications. The approaching winter may force Tashkent to make this critical choice. Reliable and cost-effective gas supplies from Turkmenistan could provide much-needed relief and help Uzbekistan address its longstanding energy shortages.

Exports Gas Pipelines EU Iraq Export of Natural Gas Oil and Gas Russia Iran

Turkmenistan to Boost Gas Exports to Neighbor Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has agreed to purchase more natural gas from Turkmenistan, though the amount of additional gas and the price remain unclear. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke by phone with the chairman of Turkmenistan’s Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) and leader of the country Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on December 5 to discuss the deal. According to Turkmen state news, Berdimuhamedov “agreed to the increase” of Turkmen gas to Uzbekistan, and it would not be surprising if Berdimuhamedov was quietly dancing in celebration on the other end of the line. Anxious to Sell Turkmenistan has the fourth largest gas reserves in the world, some 17.5 trillion cubic meters, at least. To put that in perspective, the 27 countries of the European Union, combined, used 350 billion cubic meters of gas in 2022, meaning Turkmenistan has enough gas to meet all the EU’s gas needs, at current levels, for 50 years. Unfortunately, more than 33 years after becoming independent, Turkmenistan still does not have many customers for its gas. There is China, which buys the most Turkmen gas, some 35 billion cubic meters (bcm), Uzbekistan, which in recent years has been purchasing 1.5-2 bcm annually from Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan, which gets 1-1.5 bcm of Turkmen gas via a swap arrangement involving Iran. Turkmenistan’s only successful recent export deal is with Iraq for 10 bcm, which involves a swap arrangement with Iran that will require maintenance work and repairs on Turkmenistan’s and Iran’s pipelines. Turkmenistan just lost Russia as a customer after the contract for Russia to purchase up to 5.5 bcm of Turkmen gas expired at the end of June 2024. The expiration of the agreement with Russia meant Turkmenistan lost its second biggest buyer, but that might now turn out to be good news for Uzbekistan. Anxious to Buy The jump in the number of people and accompanying expansion of service infrastructure have combined with Uzbekistan’s gross failure to increase domestic gas output to make Uzbekistan a net gas importer. In late January 2023, Uzbek media reported the country produced some 51.7 bcm of gas in 2022 and said plans called for increasing that to 56.3 bcm in 2023. Instead, gas production fell to 46.7 bcm in 2023, and it is set to decrease further in 2024. Uzbekistan signed its first contract for Turkmen gas in December 2022. That deal was for 1.5 bcm annually, but in August 2023, the two countries agreed to boost that to 2 bcm. However, that was not enough to fill Uzbekistan’s growing gas consumption needs. In June 2023, Uzbekistan signed a two-year agreement to import up to 2.8 bcm of gas from Russia, but by March 2024, reports showed Uzbekistan looking to increase Russian gas imports to 11 bcm starting in 2026. It looks like some of the 5.5 bcm Turkmenistan was until recently selling to Russia will instead be sent to Uzbekistan, so for Turkmenistan, the gas deal with Uzbekistan only recovers some of the revenue lost with the expiration of the contract with Russia....

TAPI Gas Pipelines Export of Natural Gas Economic Growth Export/Import

Construction of TAPI Gas Pipeline Begins in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has commenced the practical phase of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, one of the region’s most ambitious infrastructure initiatives. Local media report that essential materials and equipment have been delivered to the border areas between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, enabling work to start on the Afghan section of the pipeline. The TAPI gas pipeline will span 1,814 kilometers, with 774 kilometers crossing Afghanistan. Once operational, the pipeline will transport 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, significantly boosting economic development across the region. Afghanistan is set to receive 5 billion cubic meters of gas each year from the pipeline and create over 12,000 jobs for its citizens. Economists estimate that the project could generate approximately $1 billion annually in revenue for Afghanistan. Discussions around the TAPI pipeline began in the early 2000s, and in 2013, an agreement was signed to form a consortium. The Turkmen state-owned company Turkmengaz holds an 85% stake, while Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India each hold 5% shares. Construction on the Turkmenistan section of the pipeline began in 2015 and has since been completed. Afghanistan is the next country to advance the project, with work on the section from Serhetabat to Herat initiated in September this year.

Gas Pipelines Export of Natural Gas Natural gas China Oil & Gas Export/Import

Central Asia-China Pipeline Delivers 500 Billion Cubic Meters of Gas

For over 14 years, the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline has been a vital conduit for clean energy, delivering more than 500 billion cubic meters of natural gas to China, according to a report by Xinhua, citing the West Pipeline Company of the Chinese PipeChina Corporation. The Khorgos gas compressor station, a critical component of the pipeline, serves as the primary entry point for Central Asian gas into China. Known as the “head station” and the “heart” of China's second and third lines of the West-to-East Gas Pipeline, the station plays a pivotal role in the system's operation. Since its commissioning in 2009, the Khorgos Compressor Station has operated safely and reliably for over 5,000 days, transporting over 500 billion cubic meters of natural gas. It is recognized as having the highest operational performance in Asia. With an operating pressure of 12 megapascals, the pipeline pumps more than 2,000 cubic meters of gas every second and can transport a maximum of 160 million cubic meters of gas daily. The 522.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas transported by the pipeline is equivalent to replacing 696 million tons of standard coal, reducing emissions by 764 million tons of carbon dioxide, 25 million tons of sulfur dioxide, 379 million tons of dust, and 6.27 million tons of nitrogen oxides. The Khorgos compressor station also contributes to green and low-carbon development. It houses China’s first electricity generation project powered by waste heat from natural gas-fired compressors. This innovation has enabled the station to achieve zero direct emissions for large gas transmission stations powered by gas compressors, with annual power generation exceeding 65 million kilowatt-hours. From the first compressor station, natural gas travels 1,833 kilometers eastward over 84 hours, passing through central Uzbekistan and southern Kazakhstan before entering China at the Khorgos border checkpoint. The gas then feeds into the second and third lines of the West-East Gas Pipeline. With a design capacity of 60 billion cubic meters per year, the pipeline has been operational since December 2009. The pipeline supplies natural gas to more than 500 million people across 27 provincial-level regions and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.