Ankara considers the transit of Turkmen gas through Azerbaijan’s territory possible, with potential supply volumes to Türkiye reaching up to 2 billion cubic meters per year, Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar said in an interview with Report.
“Turkmen gas that arrived in Azerbaijan can reach Türkiye through Azerbaijani territory,” said Bayraktar.
He indicated that deliveries could be made through the infrastructure that currently transports Azerbaijani gas to Türkiye via Georgia.
“The volumes of such transit may not be very high. But the main thing is that there is a (technical) possibility to implement it through Azerbaijan. Turkmen gas goes to Azerbaijan through swap operations with Iran, and it can go to Türkiye in a similar way,” the minister added.
Bayraktar avoided answering the question about whether discussions are being held with Azerbaijan regarding the transit of Turkmen gas to Türkiye.However, he noted that the Azerbaijani side is aware of these plans, since “their implementation is simply impossible without discussion with Azerbaijan.”
“We do everything together (with Azerbaijan). We have implemented a number of large-scale projects. Now Azerbaijani gas is flowing to Türkiye, and from there to Europe,” said the minister.
Bayraktar also noted that technical capabilities suggest that Turkmen gas supplies to Türkiye cannot exceed 1.5-2 billion cubic meters per year.