Gas Supply - The Times Of Central Asia

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Natural gas

Russia Increases Natural Gas Exports to Uzbekistan

Russia significantly increased natural gas exports to Uzbekistan in 2025, with deliveries rising by about 30% to more than 7 billion cubic meters via the Central Asia–Center pipeline system, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The increase came despite an overall decline in Russia’s gas production and a sharp drop in exports to Europe, pointing to Central Asia’s growing role in Moscow’s energy strategy. In its latest report, the IEA said natural gas output across Eurasia fell by an estimated 2% in 2025, largely due to lower production in Russia. Preliminary data point to a 3% decline in Russian gas output, or around 22 billion cubic meters, amid weaker domestic demand and shrinking exports. Domestic deliveries dropped by nearly 3%, with the sharpest decline recorded in the first quarter, when milder winter temperatures reduced heating demand. At the same time, pipeline gas exports to Europe plunged by roughly 25% year on year following the halt of transit through Ukraine on January 1, 2025. The shortfall was only partly offset by increased supplies to China and Central Asia. Exports to China via the Power of Siberia pipeline rose by 25% to nearly 39 billion cubic meters, while shipments to Uzbekistan through Kazakhstan continued to increase. The IEA also noted diverging trends across Central Asia’s gas sector. Turkmenistan’s gas production rose by about 3% to roughly 80 billion cubic meters. By contrast, Uzbekistan’s output fell by 4.5% in the first 11 months of 2025 due to upstream capacity constraints. Kazakhstan, meanwhile, recorded a gain of more than 10% in sales gas production, although regional pipeline exports to China declined by around 5%. Against this backdrop, Russia is moving to formalize energy ties with Central Asian countries. The Russian Energy Ministry announced the creation of a joint energy working group following expert-level consultations held under the “Central Asia–Russia” framework at the Russian Foreign Ministry. Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin, who participated in the talks, said the working group will operate at the deputy minister level and include representatives from Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The body will be tasked with implementing the Joint Action Plan for 2025-2027, adopted at the second Central Asia-Russia summit in Dushanbe in October 2025. The ministry said the group will focus on coordinating fuel and energy policy and overseeing the implementation of decisions approved by regional leaders.

Gas Supply

Russia Overtakes Central Asian Suppliers in China’s Gas Market

While Central Asian nations remain major suppliers of natural gas to China, newly released data indicates that Russia is rapidly expanding its market share and has now overtaken traditional exporters from the region. According to figures from China’s General Administration of Customs, as reported by Russian state media TASS, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan together supplied more than $7.9 billion worth of pipeline gas to China between January and September 2025. Turkmenistan, historically China’s leading gas supplier, exported $6.46 billion worth of pipeline gas during the nine-month period, representing a 12.7% decline year-on-year. Kazakhstan followed with gas exports totaling $854.7 million, while Uzbekistan supplied approximately $629.8 million. Russia, however, has emerged as the largest single supplier, exporting $7.29 billion worth of pipeline gas to China in the same period, an 18.9% increase compared to the previous year. In September alone, Russian gas exports reached $802.2 million, slightly exceeding August’s figures. The surge follows an agreement signed during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Beijing in late August and early September, under which Russia committed to supplying 106 billion cubic meters of gas annually to China. In 2024, China’s total pipeline gas imports rose by 8.6% to $21.1 billion, with Russian imports growing by 25% to $8.03 billion. Russia’s growing footprint in the Chinese gas market aligns with its broader strategy to deepen energy cooperation across Eurasia. In February, Moscow announced plans to construct a new trunk pipeline to supply gas to northern and northeastern Kazakhstan. The pipeline, which will pass through Russia’s Tyumen region, is designed to transport 10 billion cubic meters of gas per year and will be supported by compressor stations generating 50 megawatts.

Natural gas

Turkmenistan to Supply Gas to Turkey Through Swap Deal Starting March 1

Turkmenistan will begin supplying 1.3 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Turkey on March 1 through a swap agreement, according to Oğuzhan Akyener, President of the Turkish Center for Research on Energy Strategies and Policies (TESPAM). Akyener discussed the deal in an interview with News.Az on February 24. Under the agreement, Turkmenistan will send gas to Iran, which will then transfer an equivalent amount to Turkey. Iran will consume Turkmen gas in its northeastern regions, freeing up its own supply for Turkey. Akyener noted that other potential routes for transporting Turkmen gas were considered but faced infrastructure and logistical challenges: Via Azerbaijan: This would require new pipelines from Turkmenistan to Baku and an expansion of the South Caucasus Pipeline (SCPx). Via Russia: The Western Line (Batı Hattı), which could have been used, is not operational. Through Turkey's TurkStream or Blue Stream pipelines: These remain possible alternatives, provided there is available capacity. Turkey aims to position itself as a major energy hub, Akyener explained. The country has significantly expanded its gas infrastructure, diversified its supply sources, and introduced regulations to allow the re-export of imported gas. According to TESPAM, with the right investments, Turkey could increase gas imports from: Turkmenistan – up to 65 billion cubic meters Azerbaijan – 15 billion cubic meters Kazakhstan – 10 billion cubic meters Uzbekistan – 15 billion cubic meters Iraq – 58 billion cubic meters Eastern Mediterranean – 25 billion cubic meters These developments could boost Turkey’s annual gas trade capacity to 300 billion cubic meters, further solidifying its role in global energy markets. Despite holding some of the world’s largest natural gas reserves, Turkmenistan exports only about 40 billion cubic meters of gas per year, with 35-36 billion cubic meters going to China. However, Turkmenistan faces economic risks due to China’s control over pricing, leading it to seek new buyers and diversify exports. Turkmenistan is exploring options to supply gas to Europe, following Azerbaijan’s model to gain European political support. However, alternative export routes face significant challenges. One such route is the TAPI Pipeline (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India), a long-planned project that has been delayed due to political and security issues. Ongoing conflicts between Afghanistan and Pakistan, along with tensions between Pakistan and India, have stalled progress. Additionally, China has been accused of using its influence to prevent the pipeline’s completion. Given these obstacles, Akyener believes Turkey remains the most realistic and viable export destination for Turkmenistan’s gas. Strengthening energy cooperation between the two nations could deepen economic and political ties among Turkic-speaking countries and further integrate them into the global energy market.

Energy

Russia to Build Gas Pipeline for Northern Kazakhstan

Russia will construct a new trunk gas pipeline to supply fuel to the northern and northeastern regions of Kazakhstan. The decision was formalized in an order signed by the Russian government on February 18, which was published on the country’s official legal information portal. According to the document, the pipeline will have a design capacity of 10 billion cubic meters of gas per year, with compressor stations capable of generating 50 megawatts. The route will pass through Russia’s Tyumen region. Kazakhstan’s Gas Supply Strategy Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev had previously outlined two potential strategies for ensuring gas supplies to the country’s northern regions. The first option involved extending Gazprom's existing Saryarka pipeline project, which would supply Kazakh gas to northern Kazakhstan. The second option, now selected, is to import Russian gas through a newly built route. Strategic Importance of Gasification The issue of supplying gas to northern Kazakhstan was first raised by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in 2021. Tokayev emphasized that gasification of the Akmola and North Kazakhstan regions is a strategically important task. “This is a matter of national importance,” he said at the time, stressing that expanding gas infrastructure would not only strengthen the region’s industrial potential but also enhance its attractiveness for business and improve living conditions for local residents.

Methane Emissions

High Methane Emissions May Hinder Turkmenistan’s Gas Exports to Europe

High methane emissions could pose a significant obstacle to Turkmenistan’s entry into the European gas market, according to an updated report by the U.S. Department of Energy, published on February 6. The main findings of the study were summarized by Eurasia Review on February 19. The report, which examines oil and gas production in the Caspian region, notes that four countries, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, account for 3% of global energy production. Turkmenistan’s Gas Reserves and Export Ambitions According to the report, Turkmenistan ranks fifth worldwide in natural gas reserves, estimated at 400 trillion cubic feet in 2025. In 2023, the country set a record by producing 3.0 trillion cubic feet of dry natural gas, the highest level since official statistics began in 1992. Currently, Turkmenistan’s primary gas exports are directed to China, but Ashgabat is seeking to expand its market reach, including potential supply routes through Afghanistan. However, the U.S. Department of Energy warns that excessive methane emissions from Turkmenistan’s fields could complicate access to the European market via the Trans-Caspian pipeline. In terms of oil reserves, Turkmenistan holds a relatively modest 600 million barrels, with an average daily production of 275,000 barrels in 2024. Diversification Efforts and New Export Deals Meanwhile, Turkmenistan is taking steps to diversify its export destinations. Gas supplies to Turkey are set to begin on March 1. During a phone call on February 10, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov informed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that an agreement had been reached to transit gas through Iran under a swap supply arrangement with Turkish energy company BOTAŞ. Efforts to Reduce Methane Emissions Turkmenistan has also been actively engaging in international initiatives to curb methane emissions. On December 1, 2023, the country joined the Global Methane Pledge (GMP), an initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In November 2024, Bloomberg reported that the state-owned Turkmengaz plans to hire specialists to measure methane emissions more accurately and is preparing a tender for emission monitoring. That same month, the U.S. Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) released satellite data showing that methane leakage from oil and gas fields in Turkmenistan, the U.S., and Venezuela is significantly higher than official ground-based measurements suggest.