16 Jan 2023 15:25

Turkmenistan considering construction of underground gas storage facilities

Ashgabat. Jan 16 (Interfax) - Turkmenistan is planning to build underground gas storage facilities in the country for the first time, and there are plans to involve international consulting companies in the project, Turkmen television said.

Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister Shakhym Abdrakhmanov, who oversees the oil and gas sector, reported to Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on building underground gas storage facilities with the goal of ensuring reserves of commercial gas during a government meeting on January 13.

There are plans to involve international consulting companies in the project in order to carry out works in line with international practice, prepare an economic and technological feasibility study, and do design work, as well as for outfitting and construction, Abdrakhmanov said.

Having listened to this information, Berdimuhamedov emphasized the importance of using gas resources rationally and effectively and the need to adopt measures to further boost cooperation with foreign partners.

Turkmenistan is currently exporting natural gas to China and Russia, as well as carrying out swap supplies of gas to Azerbaijan through Iran. Ashgabat is also implementing a construction project building a Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline.

According to BP, proved reserves of natural gas in Turkmenistan are estimated at 13.95 trillion cubic meters. Production of natural gas in the country totaled 79.3 billion cubic meters in 2021 compared to 66 bcm in 2020, it said.

Turkmenistan accounted for 2% of global natural gas production in 2021. Gas consumption in the country rose 24.2% to 36.7 bcm in 2021.