From October 24 to 27, the capital of Turkmenistan hosted important events for the oil and gas industry of the country - the XXVIII International Conference and Exhibition "Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan-2023". These events are traditionally held in Ashgabat and every year attract more and more attention of the world's leading energy companies and authoritative international organizations.

This year's conference and exhibition were especially representative. The events were attended by members of the Government of Turkmenistan, heads of relevant ministries and departments, heads of diplomatic missions accredited in the country, representatives of major oil and gas corporations and financial institutions from more than 45 countries of the world. 

Such attention to the forum on the part of the international energy community is due to a number of factors. Firstly, Turkmenistan has huge hydrocarbon reserves and is actively modernizing its fuel and energy infrastructure, implementing large-scale projects of regional and global importance. Secondly, the country's leadership pursues an open policy aimed at expanding cooperation with foreign partners in the field of extraction, transportation and processing of energy resources. 

In this article we will review in detail the results of the International Conference and Exhibition "Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan-2023", analyze the main topics discussed during the events and draw conclusions about the prospects for the development of the oil and gas sector of Turkmenistan and expansion of its cooperation with foreign partners.

First day of events: forum opening ceremony

On October 24, the XXVIII International Conference and Exhibition "Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan - 2023" was opened at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan. This large-scale event has been held annually in Ashgabat for almost three decades. During this time, the forum has proved to be an effective platform for establishing direct contacts between Turkmen oil and gas companies and their foreign partners.

The opening ceremony was attended by the government delegation headed by the Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan, heads of relevant ministries and agencies, heads of diplomatic missions accredited in the country, top managers of the world's largest oil and gas corporations. 

The unprecedentedly wide geography of the countries whose companies sent their representatives to Ashgabat for this forum is especially noteworthy. Delegates from more than 45 countries of Europe, Asia and America participated in the exhibition and conference.

This scale of participation testifies to the great interest of the international business community in cooperation with Turkmenistan in the fuel and energy sector.

Address of the Head of State to the Forum participants

Special attention during the opening ceremony was paid to the speech of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who sent a welcoming address to the participants of the International Conference and Exhibition "Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan - 2023".

In his speech, the head of state emphasized the importance of holding such events to strengthen international cooperation in the energy sector. The President noted that the forum gives foreign partners an opportunity to better familiarize themselves with the achievements and development strategy of Turkmenistan's fuel and energy complex. 

In addition, according to President Berdimuhamedov, the conference facilitates the launch of new joint projects to develop the country's hydrocarbon resources. The Head of State emphasized Turkmenistan's commitment to the principles of openness and mutually beneficial cooperation with foreign partners in the energy sector.

Thus, the President's speech set a constructive tone for the entire conference and demonstrated the readiness of the Turkmen side to dialog with the world energy community.

Presentation of achievements of the national fuel and energy complex

An important part of the conference was the demonstration of current achievements and potential of Turkmenistan's fuel and energy complex. 

In the exhibition hall of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry about 70 participating companies presented their stands, including the national leaders of the industry - State Concerns "Turkmenneft" and "Turkmengaz", State Corporation "Turkmengeologiya".

The stands demonstrated samples of modern high-tech equipment for hydrocarbon exploration and production, gas transportation and storage, pipeline construction, and oil refining. 

Special attention was paid to the latest developments in the development of offshore fields on the Caspian shelf, improving the environmental friendliness of hydrocarbon production and processing, and the use of renewable energy sources.

Such a large-scale exposition demonstrated to foreign participants the high scientific and technical potential of the Turkmen fuel and energy complex and its readiness to implement innovative solutions together with partners.

Plenary session on the future of world energy

The key event of the first day of the conference was the plenary session on "The Future of Global Energy".

During the discussion, the experts touched upon such issues as the formation of a new energy security architecture in the world, trends in the development of energy markets, and the need to create new energy transportation routes.

Special attention was paid to environmental aspects - transition to the use of clean energy sources, reduction of harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

The plenary session was actively attended by the heads of the world's largest energy corporations, international organizations, and financial institutions.  

As a result of the discussion, the experts came to the conclusion that it is necessary to strengthen international cooperation to ensure sustainable development of the world energy industry and to solve global environmental problems.

Views of international experts on the potential of cooperation with Turkmenistan

Representatives of major foreign energy companies, international organizations and financial institutions made presentations at the plenary session. 

They noted the great potential for expanding cooperation with Turkmenistan in the fuel and energy sector. According to them, the country has huge hydrocarbon reserves and is actively modernizing the infrastructure for their production and transportation.

The speakers highly appreciated the efforts of Turkmenistan's leadership to create favorable conditions for attracting foreign investment in the development of the oil and gas industry.

The heads of the world's largest energy companies assured of their interest in participating in projects in Turkmenistan and readiness to share advanced technologies for mutually beneficial partnership.

Thus, the experts' speeches demonstrated great international interest in cooperation with the Turkmen fuel and energy sector and prospects for expanding the country's foreign economic ties in this area.

TAPI gas pipeline is a strategic project for Turkmenistan

One of the key issues discussed during the conference was the implementation of the TAPI gas pipeline project (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India).

This global infrastructure project is designed to supply Turkmen gas to South Asian countries. The construction of the gas pipeline is actively supported by the international community, as TAPI is not only economically but also politically important for the entire region.

The realization of this project will allow Turkmenistan to significantly expand the markets for its hydrocarbons. In turn, the countries of South Asia will receive a reliable and stable source of energy resources.

The conference participants agreed that the TAPI project offers great opportunities for economic integration in Central and South Asia. Its early implementation is in the interests of all countries in the region.

Development of the unique Galkynysh deposit 

Another important topic of the conference was the development of the giant Galkynysh gas field, which is one of the largest in the world.

Step-by-step development of Galkynysh is being carried out in Turkmenistan in accordance with the state program for the development of the fuel and energy complex. Infrastructure facilities for gas production, treatment and transportation have already been built and put into operation.

The conference participants noted the unique characteristics of gas at the Galkynysh field, in particular the high content of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. This requires the application of special production and purification technologies.

The development of such a complex field is of great importance for increasing Turkmenistan's export potential. The panelists agreed that the Galkynysh project opens wide prospects for international cooperation and attracting investments in the gas industry of the country.

Development of deep gas processing in Turkmenistan

An important direction in the development of the gas industry of Turkmenistan is the creation of production facilities for deep processing of hydrocarbon raw materials.

During the conference, the projects already implemented in the country for the construction of large gas chemical complexes were presented. In particular, a plant for the production of polyethylene and polypropylene is operating in Kiyanly settlement, and a unique in the world enterprise for the production of synthetic gasoline from natural gas is operating in Akhal velayat.

These complexes were erected with the participation of well-known foreign companies from South Korea, Japan and Türkiye. Their products are in demand in both domestic and foreign markets.

The participants of the event agreed that further development of gas chemistry opens great prospects for the economy of Turkmenistan, increasing the export and innovation potential of the country.

Potential for the development of Caspian offshore fields

Another promising area of development of the oil and gas complex of Turkmenistan is the development of the Caspian shelf resources.

The conference discussed plans for exploration and development of licensed offshore blocks in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea. These projects are supposed to be realized mainly by attracting foreign investments and advanced technologies.

According to experts, the Caspian shelf has a significant potential of hydrocarbon resources. Their development will make it possible to obtain additional volumes of oil and gas for the needs of the national economy and export.

The conference participants agreed that the expansion of the resource base of the fuel and energy sector through the development of the Caspian shelf opens up good opportunities for attracting foreign partners and investors to these promising projects.

Environmental aspects of oil and gas industry development

During the conference, considerable attention was paid to the environmental aspects of development of the oil and gas industry of Turkmenistan.

It was noted that one of the priorities of the state policy is the introduction of the latest technologies of hydrocarbon production and processing that meet high environmental standards.

In particular, at large facilities, such as the Galkynysh field, solutions for capturing and utilization of associated acid gases are applied, which significantly reduces the level of harmful emissions.

Turkmenistan is interested in expanding international cooperation on sharing experience in solving the problems of ecologization of the oil and gas industry, introduction of advanced "green" technologies. This topic aroused great interest among the conference participants.

Renewable energy potential in Turkmenistan

Along with traditional sources, Turkmenistan is also developing renewable energy sources, primarily solar and wind energy.

As it was noted at the conference, the country has a significant potential for the development of "green" energy due to favorable climatic conditions. Pilot projects in this area are already being implemented.

The participants of the event agreed that, taking into account global trends, the introduction of renewable energy sources is becoming an important direction of diversification of the fuel and energy complex of Turkmenistan.

This opens up new opportunities for attracting investments and technologies from abroad. Turkmenistan is interested in expanding international partnership in the field of green energy.

Development of human resources for the oil and gas industry

In the course of discussions at the conference, the topic of training highly qualified personnel for the needs of the oil and gas industry of Turkmenistan was touched upon.

It was noted that successful implementation of large-scale projects in the fuel and energy sector requires building up human resources potential. In this regard, the priority tasks are the development of specialized engineering education, training of scientific and engineering personnel, and improvement of the professional development system.

Turkmenistan is interested in expanding international cooperation with leading foreign educational centers and companies to share experience in personnel training, introduction of advanced educational programs and training technologies for the oil and gas industry.

Prospects for the use of hydrogen energy

One of the topics discussed at the conference was the prospects of using hydrogen as one of the most environmentally friendly energy sources of the future. 

It was noted that technologies for production and application of hydrogen as an environmentally friendly fuel are being actively developed in the global energy sector. Hydrogen energy has great potential for solving the problem of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Turkmenistan, as one of the largest producers of natural gas, is interested in the development of international cooperation on the introduction of innovative technologies in the field of hydrogen production and utilization. This topic is of great interest to potential international partners.

Establishing direct contacts between companies

An important practical outcome of the conference was the establishment of direct business contacts between Turkmen oil and gas companies and their foreign partners.

At the end of the official part of the event, bilateral talks were held between the heads of specialized structures of the national fuel and energy complex of Turkmenistan and representatives of foreign companies. 

In the course of these meetings, specific directions for further cooperation were discussed, as well as opportunities for the realization of joint projects involving foreign investments and advanced technologies.

Thus, the forum gave a start to practical work on strengthening Turkmenistan's international partnership in the fuel and energy sector on the basis of the agreements reached during the conference.

Conference results and industry development prospects

Summing up, it can be stated that the International Conference and Exhibition "Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan - 2023" was held at a high organizational level and allowed to discuss the whole range of topical issues of oil and gas industry development.

The Forum demonstrated progressive dynamics in modernization of Turkmenistan's fuel and energy complex, implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects, expansion of innovative technologies. 

The conference confirmed the high interest of the world's leading energy companies and investors in cooperation with Turkmenistan in the fuel and energy sector.

In general, the forum demonstrated favorable prospects for further integration of the Turkmen fuel and energy complex into the global energy system, strengthening its international positions as a reliable partner in ensuring global energy security.

Photo: Turkmenistan.gov.tm