Speech by Sapar Bekjanov: “Development of Turkmenistan’s Gas Industry: Investment, Infrastructure and Growth Prospects”

Dear Mr. Moderator!
Dear conference participants!
Ladies and gentlemen!

First of all, allow me to welcome all participants of the 31st International Conference and Exhibition “Oil & Gas of Turkmenistan — OGT 2026.”

Today’s session is devoted to issues of strategic importance for the further development of Turkmenistan’s gas industry: expanding production capacity, developing new phases of gas fields, modernizing infrastructure, introducing modern technologies, and attracting investment.

Turkmenistan possesses one of the world’s largest natural gas resource bases. Its efficient development is one of the key priorities of the country’s energy strategy implemented under the leadership of the President of Turkmenistan, esteemed Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

The “Turkmengaz” State Concern is consistently implementing a comprehensive gas industry development program covering geological exploration, drilling, production, gas treatment and processing, as well as the expansion of gas transportation infrastructure.

The development of the supergiant Galkynysh gas field holds a special place in this work.

Dear colleagues!

Industrial development of the field is being carried out in stages, making it possible to steadily increase production capacity, rationally allocate investment resources, and take into account the operating results of existing facilities.

One of the most important events of the current year has been the start of implementation of Phase IV of the industrial development of the Galkynysh field.

In April 2026, the “Turkmengaz” State Concern and China’s CNPC Amudarya Petroleum Company Ltd. signed a turnkey contract for the design and construction of Phase IV facilities.

Phase IV provides for the creation of additional capacity to produce 10 billion cubic meters of marketable natural gas per year.

The project includes the drilling of production wells, construction of gas gathering and treatment facilities, technological units, pipeline infrastructure, engineering communications, and auxiliary production facilities.

Phase IV will become an important step toward further increasing the country’s production potential, strengthening its export capabilities, and expanding long-term energy cooperation with the People’s Republic of China.

We also pay attention to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility, including improving technological process control and reducing possible natural gas losses.

Ladies and gentlemen!

Alongside the development of Galkynysh, the “Turkmengaz” State Concern is focusing on modernizing existing production facilities and developing the gas transportation system.

As part of our long-term gas industry development strategy, we plan to implement a major project to build an underground gas storage facility with an injection capacity of up to 5 billion cubic meters per year.

The project is intended to become an important element of energy infrastructure, ensuring reliable gas supply, increasing the system’s resilience to seasonal fluctuations in demand, and creating additional reserves for uninterrupted supply to consumers.

The creation of such a facility will not only improve the flexibility of gas resource management but will also strengthen the industry’s potential for sustainable long-term development.

At every stage of the project, particular attention will be paid to introducing advanced technological solutions, ensuring industrial and environmental safety, and using investment resources efficiently.

Promising areas of cooperation include the reconstruction and technical re-equipment of compressor stations. In particular, projects are planned to construct new Shatlyk and Karakum compressor stations to replace existing facilities.

Other priorities include modernization of gas treatment and purification systems, improving the reliability of gas pipeline infrastructure, introducing digital technologies, and deploying modern equipment diagnostic systems.

For international partners, these areas offer opportunities for engineering and technical cooperation, equipment supplies, specialized services, personnel training, and the introduction of innovative solutions.

We regard technological cooperation as an important component of the industry’s long-term development.

Dear colleagues!

A modern gas industry must ensure not only growth in production indicators but also a high level of efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability.

In this regard, the “Turkmengaz” State Concern attaches great importance to introducing modern monitoring systems, improving energy efficiency, enhancing equipment operation, and reducing methane emissions.

Particular attention is paid to training national engineering and technical personnel and expanding cooperation with leading international technology companies and research organizations.

We are convinced that combining resource potential, modern technologies, and international experience will ensure the sustainable development of the gas industry for decades to come.

Ladies and gentlemen!

Turkmenistan consistently pursues a policy of open and mutually beneficial energy cooperation.

We highly value our established relations with international partners and are interested in further expanding cooperation in field development, construction of gas processing facilities, infrastructure modernization, and the introduction of advanced technologies.

We are open to constructive dialogue and new initiatives aimed at the efficient development of natural resources and strengthening international energy partnerships.

I wish all participants productive work and successful implementation of joint projects.

Thank you for your attention!

Question 1 — Future Investment Opportunities

Moderator — Robert van der Geest, World Bank:

Beyond Phase IV, where do you see the most promising opportunities for international engineering companies, technology providers, and investors to participate in the next stage of Turkmenistan’s natural gas development?

Sapar Bekjanov’s Answer

Thank you for your question.

The “Turkmengaz” State Concern views international investment and technological cooperation as one of the key factors in the further development of Turkmenistan’s gas industry.

In this regard, I would like to highlight several of the most promising areas of cooperation.

First — the further phased development of the Galkynysh field.

In addition to the ongoing Phase IV, considerable potential is associated with the development of the second and third phases, as well as subsequent stages of the field’s industrial development.

Such large-scale projects require modern technologies for drilling, construction and operation of gas wells, highly efficient equipment, gas treatment systems, and integrated engineering solutions.

We are interested in exploring opportunities for cooperation with international companies that possess the necessary technological experience and expertise.

Second — modernization of gas transportation and production infrastructure.

Of particular importance are the reconstruction and construction of new gas pipelines to improve the efficiency of existing gas pipeline systems, as well as the introduction of modern diagnostic, automation, and digital control systems.

At present, the “Turkmengaz” State Concern continues to implement a number of major projects aimed at supporting economic growth.

These include construction of a new branch of the Shatlyk–Karakum gas pipeline with a diameter of 1,420 mm and a length of 118 km, construction of a new branch of the Karakum–Malay gas pipeline with a diameter of 1,420 mm and a length of 124 km, as well as construction of a new gas pipeline connecting the Naip–Deryalyk and Dovletabad–Deryalyk pipelines, with a diameter of 1,020 mm and a length of 58.2 km.

To improve the efficiency and reliability of trunk gas transportation, we plan to introduce a modern SCADA system providing centralized monitoring, operational control, and automated management of technological processes.

Implementation of the project will improve the accuracy of transportation parameter monitoring, accelerate the detection of deviations, optimize equipment operating modes, and enhance the safety of gas transportation infrastructure.

The introduction of SCADA will be an important step in the digital transformation of the industry, improving the responsiveness of dispatch management, system stability, and efficiency in the use of production resources.

These areas create opportunities for international engineering companies, equipment manufacturers, and specialized technology organizations.

Third — the introduction of innovative and environmentally efficient technologies.

We attach great importance to improving energy efficiency, reducing methane emissions, digitalizing production processes, and introducing modern environmental monitoring systems.

At the same time, I would like to emphasize that it is fundamentally important for us not only to attract investment, but also to develop long-term partnerships that include technology transfer, training of national specialists, and strengthening the country’s production potential.

We view the development of the gas industry as a long-term partnership in which Turkmenistan’s natural resources, international investment, and advanced technologies create shared opportunities for sustainable growth.

I am confident that the OGT 2026 conference will become an important platform for discussing promising initiatives and establishing new mutually beneficial partnerships.

Thank you for your attention.