Turkmenistan will maintain gas output in 2023 at over 80 bcm, while exports will top 40 bcm

ASHGABAT. Oct 26 (Interfax) - Gas production in Turkmenistan is expected to exceed 80 bcm by the end of the year, 73 bcm of which will come from Turkmengaz, Deputy Chairman of the state-owned company, Murat Archayev told reporters at the "Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan" international conference.

In 2022, the country produced 82.7 bcm of gas.

Gas exports this year are projected to be about 40 bcm, 35 bcm of which will be supplied by Turkmengaz, Archayev said.

China will remain the main export destination, with over 30 bcm to be shipped by year-end. Shipments also go to Uzbekistan, Russia, and Azerbaijan, and there is a swap contract with Iran for up to 3 bcm per year .

Chairman of State Concern Turkmennebit, Guvanch Aghajanov told reporters that over 8 million tonnes of oil are planned for production in Turkmenistan in 2023. In this case, half will go to Turkmennebit.

Archayev welcomed the development of the presence of Russian gas in the Asian region, in particular in the markets of China and Uzbekistan. "We are not concerned at all, we are a neutral state, and you, our neighbors, if you diversify supplies, we are only glad that you have ensured your own energy security."

The Trans-Caspian gas pipeline project is still in the same state, Archayev said. "Everything is still at the same stage."