_BIOGRAPHY He graduated from Turkmen State Polytechnic Institute in 1996 as a Mining Engineer. He held various positions at "Turkmengas" from 1999 to 2009, eventually becoming head of the Ashgabat Branch of "Turkmengassupply." In 2012, he was appointed Deputy Chairman of SC "Turkmengas." From 2017 to 2018, he served as Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan.

TURKMENGAZ IS TURKMENISTAN'S STATE-OWNED NATURAL GAS COMPANY, RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXPLORATION, PRODUCTION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF NATURAL GAS. IT PLAYS A CRUCIAL ROLE IN THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMY, MANAGING VAST RESERVES AND ENSURING ENERGY SECURITY WHILE DRIVING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.

HOW DOES "TURKMENGAZ" VIEW ITS ROLE IN ENHANCING REGIONAL ENERGY SECURITY AND CONNECTIVITY?

Turkmenistan is a major player in the Asian oil and gas market. The country’s hydrocarbon resources are estimated at more than 71 billion tons of oil equivalent—more than 20 billion tons of oil and more than 50 trillion cubic meters of natural gas. According to these figures, Turkmenistan currently ranks fourth in the world in proven natural gas reserves, following Russia, Iran, and Qatar.

It is no secret that natural gas is a key fuel in the energy transition and will continue to play an important role in reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning from high-emission fuels such as coal and oil to lower-emission natural gas, especially in electricity generation. Even considering the active transition to renewable energy sources, according to the International Energy Agency, natural gas is currently a cost-effective option for addressing hydrocarbon supply disruptions, providing an environmentally and technologically viable alternative from extraction to processing.It is well known that Turkmenistan has a strong resource potential, offering huge opportunities for cooperation and capable of meeting the growing demand for blue fuel in the region. The unique Galkynysh field serves as the primary resource base for gas exports. It should be noted that the diversification of hydrocarbon exports is a priority for us in developing the entire pipeline transportation system. Turkmenistan's energy policy is based on principles of neutrality and multivector diplomacy. We are ready to export gas to all buyers—from Europe and Asia—at Turkmenistan's borders.

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WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DOES GALKYNYSH GAS FIELD PRESENT FOR "TURKMENGAZ"?

The Galkynysh field is the largest onshore natural gas field in the world. Its reserves, along with nearby Yashlar and Garakel deposits, are estimated at 27.4 trillion cubic meters. Due to the large area and gas reserves, a phased development strategy has been adopted for the field. In order to manage the country’s natural resources carefully, experts from GaffneyCline and the Scientific Research Institute of Natural Gas of Turkmenshaz have developed a seven-phase plan for developing the Galkynysh gas field, projected for decades ahead. Each phase is being implemented in the context of specific projects, focusing on long-term cooperation.

Currently, Galkynysh is in the pilot-industrial phase of development, with Petrofac, CNPC, and Hyundai Engineering establishing facilities to produce commercial gas. CNPC’s subsidiary Chuanqing Drilling Engineering Company Limited (CCDC) has drilled 22 standard production wells, as well as 3 larger-diameter wells with a flow rate of about 3 million cubic meters per day. To ensure the planned annual supply of an additional 25 billion cubic meters of gas to China, the second phase of Galkynysh field development is planned to be commissioned. Currently, negotiations and the timeline for starting drilling and setting up the second phase are actively being finalized. I would like to draw the attention of international investors to the third phase of development, which will provide 33 billion cubic meters of commercial gas per year for the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) international pipeline project. On September 11, construction began on the Serkhetabat-Herat section, a key stage in the implementation of the TAPI pipeline project.

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WHAT IS THE EXPECTED OUTCOME OF COOPERATION WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS FOR TURKMENISTAN'S GAS SECTOR?

Turkmenistan's attractiveness to international investors is primarily due to the political, economic, and legal conditions created in our country through the successful "open door" policy led by the President of Turkmenistan, promoting equal and mutually beneficial interstate relations. CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation) has been operating in Turkmenistan's gas market for more than [number of years] years, and during this time, it has invested over [amount in billions] billion USD in the Turkmen economy, trained more than a thousand highly qualified technical personnel, and actively participated in social projects. We see growing interest from our Chinese partners in further participation in large-scale energy projects. Currently, we are negotiating with several new major energy companies interested in investing in the country's gas sector.

One of these companies is ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) and active discussions are underway. ADNOC is a global leader in the energy markets, with solid experience in developing complex fields, which is of particular interest to us, and we hope to establish mutually beneficial cooperation in this area. The implementation of large-scale projects for developing gas fields is a challenging task for a single company and is usually carried out with the involvement of technological know-how and financial resources from international oil and gas companies on a long-term, mutually beneficial basis.

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HOW IMPORTANT IS JOINING INITIATIVES SUCH AS THE GLOBAL METHANE PLEDGE?

Turkmenistan pays great attention to the environmental aspects of hydrocarbon resource development and is actively developing its renewable energy sector. At the COP 28 Climate Summit in Dubai, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov announced Turkmenistan's accession to the Global Methane Pledge and the continuation of cooperation with international organizations and partner countries within existing projects and programs aimed at implementing the conditions of the Global Methane Pledge.

We actively collaborate and consult with key international organizations on methane emission reduction and work closely with various UN structures on this important issue. Natural gas will play a key role in transitioning to a low-carbon future and is expected to significantly reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning from high-emission fuels such as coal and oil to lower-emission natural gas, especially in electricity generation. It is well known that the export of Turkmen gas to China has significantly improved the environmental situation in that country. According to S&P Platts experts, the 30 billion cubic meters of gas exported to China annually are equivalent to 60 million tons of coal, so you can imagine the significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in China thanks to supplies from Turkmenistan.

Recently, KAYRROS published a report titled *"Global Methane Pledge, Three Years Later: A Partial Progress Report,"* stating that "Cumulative methane emissions in Turkmenistan from its eastern and western production regions, despite a temporary increase in 2021, have tended to decrease since that peak, even amid growing oil and gas production. Cumulative emissions in 2023 decreased by 10% compared to 2020, which exceeds the 9% conditional reduction required by a linear progression to the 2030 targets." Therefore, progress in reducing methane emissions is evident.

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COULD YOU TALK ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS?

I would like to highlight several key investment projects by "Turkmengaz" and invite international investors to actively participate in them. These projects include the development of further stages of the Galkynysh gas field, participation in the development of offshore blocks in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea, and investment initiatives aimed at optimizing gas extraction at mature fields. There is also an investment project focused on the chemical utilization of oil and gas, as well as plans for the construction of an underground gas storage facility. In addition, EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contracts are available for large industrial projects.

Based on these projects, investors are offered several types of mutually beneficial cooperation. This includes risk service contracts, which are aligned with the current law of Turkmenistan "On Hydrocarbon Resources." Additionally, there are service contracts for specific types of work in sectors such as extraction, processing, construction, and the oil, gas, and chemical industries. Furthermore, investors have the opportunity to establish joint service companies focused on the maintenance and repair of oil and gas equipment, including gas turbines, compressors, and pumping equipment. Among the main factors that enhance Turkmenistan’s attractiveness to foreign investors, I would like to emphasize the stable economic and political environment, the well-developed legal framework, and the state guarantees provided.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR TURKMENISTAN'S GAS SECTOR?

Global energy markets are encountering unprecedented challenges. In the next decade, coal use in Europe may come to an end, and the gradual phase-out of nuclear energy will continue. The markets of Asia and the Middle East are experiencing dynamic growth, with an increasing demand for gas and renewable energy sources. Advances in production technologies are unlocking vast resources, such as those seen in the "shale revolution," and new major sources of supply are emerging in the US, Australia, and Russia. Global gas price convergence is creating a broader, more liquid market. The rise of digitalization, big data, and online resources is driving greater efficiency and reducing costs across the sector. Shifts in energy and environmental policies, such as the Paris Climate Agreement and discussions at forums like COP 28 in Dubai and the upcoming COP 29 in Baku, are influencing the industry. Furthermore, trade frameworks are evolving, and renewable energy sources like solar, hydropower, and wind are growing rapidly as the demand for low-carbon energy options increases, making renewables increasingly competitive. Additionally, new technologies are emerging, such as electrification, hydrogen production, biofuels, decarbonized gases, and carbon capture, storage, and utilization.

Turkmenistan’s domestic gas consumption has grown significantly, from 25.7 billion cubic meters in 2020 to 28.4 billion cubic meters in 2022, and this trend is expected to continue. This growth is driven by increasing natural gas exports to China, Uzbekistan, and through swap agreements with Azerbaijan, as well as the active monetization of gas through gas-chemical projects like polymer and fertilizer plants and electricity generation. Favorable conditions for entrepreneurship in Turkmenistan have also contributed to this growth, leading to the construction of over a thousand greenhouses in recent years. Looking ahead, several significant developments are on the horizon, including the construction of the fourth D-line of the transnational Turkmenistan–China gas pipeline, which will increase annual gas supplies to China to 65 billion cubic meters. There are also plans for the construction of the Afghan section of the TAPI gas pipeline, along with swap gas supplies to Azerbaijan and Iraq. Natural gas is expected to play a critical role in the global transition to a low-carbon future, with demand for it likely to rise further. "Turkmengaz" will need to focus on developing new natural gas fields, modernizing infrastructure, and ensuring close attention to environmental issues associated with field development.