Turkey Imports Turkmen Gas via Iran Under Barter Deal
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Turkey has started importing Turkmen natural gas through Iran as part of a barter arrangement, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said.
"We are currently supplying this gas to Turkey through Iran via barter. This agreement is very important for the security of Turkey's supplies and for expanding and diversifying gas sources," Bayraktar said in an interview with A Haber on Sunday.
The arrangement highlights Iran’s position as a crucial transit hub for regional energy trade.
Under the deal, Turkmen gas is transported through Iran before reaching Turkey, ensuring a stable supply at a competitive price. "Turkmen gas is important in terms of reducing our overall natural gas costs. This year, we will supply enough gas for approximately 1.5 million households," Bayraktar stated.
Turkey seeks to expand its energy cooperation with Turkmenistan and Iran, with long-term plans to transport Turkmen gas to Turkey and Europe through a direct Caspian Sea pipeline. However, Iran's existing transit role remains vital to current operations.
BOTAS and Turkmengaz signed an agreement on February 10, 2025, securing the supply of 1.3 billion cubic meters of Turkmen gas annually through Iran. Deliveries are set to begin on March 1, with this year serving as a pilot period before a long-term contract is finalized.
Meanwhile, Iran's strategic energy transit role extends beyond gas imports. Turkey is set to start gas deliveries to Azerbaijan’s Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic (NAR) this week via a new pipeline from Igdir in eastern Turkey. The project adds another layer to regional energy cooperation, connecting Turkey, Iran, and Azerbaijan in a broader gas network.
Turkey, which imports natural gas through 14 different points, continues to break consumption records. On February 24, BOTAS reported a new daily peak of 333.7 million cubic meters, surpassing the previous record of 300 million cubic meters set on February 7.
