At an expanded government meeting, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov stated that diversifying natural gas exports to global markets is one of the key objectives of the country's oil and gas industry. He instructed the government to continue developing the largest Galkynysh field, increase production volumes, and modernize the industry's production facilities, Turkmenportal.com reports.
According to Deputy Prime Minister Guvanch Agajanov, natural and associated gas production in Turkmenistan from January to June 2026 amounted to 107.6% of the planned figure. The Turkmennebit State Concern also exceeded its targets for oil production, refining, and petroleum product production.
The gas sector remains the backbone of Turkmenistan's economy, providing a significant portion of export revenues and serving as the main source of foreign exchange earnings. With some of the largest natural gas reserves in the world (ranked 5th), the country is striving to strengthen its role in the international energy market.
Today, China remains the main export destination, but Ashgabat is actively developing new routes, including the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, as well as opportunities to access other markets.
Increasing Turkmen gas supplies is crucial for the global energy market, given the growing demand for stable energy sources and the desire of many countries to diversify their imports. New export destinations will allow Turkmenistan to reduce its dependence on individual buyers and increase economic resilience.
Turkmenistan's Natural Gas Export Dynamics over the Past 5 Years (approximately, billion cubic meters)
| Year__ | Gas Export Volume |
|---|---|
| 2021 | About 34 bcm |
| 2022 | About 40 bcm |
| 2023 | About 45 bcm |
| 2024 | About 47 bcm |
| 2025 | About 50 bcm |
The growth in exports in recent years demonstrates the gradual strengthening of Turkmenistan's position as one of the key gas suppliers in Eurasia. However, the industry's further development will depend on the implementation of new infrastructure projects, attracting investment, and expanding the geography of buyers. Diversification of export routes remains key to the country's long-term energy and economic sustainability.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
July 14, 2026