BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 3
By Jeila Aliyeva - Trend:
Gas from Turkmenistan can make a major contribution to global gas demand, energy security specialist John Roberts told Trend.
Turkmenistan has enormous proven reserves of gas, not least at Galkynysh, the world’s largest onshore gas field, he said.
“What is required is understanding that an energy revolution is now under way, and that renewables are challenging gas in terms of price, availability and flexibility of use,” he said, adding that while gas has the potential to contribute to both regional and global energy requirements for decades to come, it will have to prove itself to be cost effective.
Furthermore, Roberts explained that there will have to be absolutely minimal costs both for the price of gas itself and for the costs involved in developing the infrastructure necessary to bring the gas to market.
This is particularly important with regard to expanding Turkmenistan's gas exports to China, he said.
“The energy revolution means that all fossil fuels have to constantly prove that they can compete with renewables. Turkmenistan has to demonstrate to foreign companies that it can harness its hydrocarbon resources in a cost-effective way in order to boost foreign investment,” he added.
This primarily relates to export-related projects but, at a time when COVID-19 is challenging domestic economies all around the world, it also applies to projects serving Turkmenistan’s domestic markets, noted Roberts.
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