Yerevan Negotiates Purchase of Turkmen Gas

Armenia is exploring the possibility of purchasing Turkmen natural gas and is currently negotiating with the Türkmengaz State Concern on this issue, according to Armenian Prime Minister’s advisor Artashes Tumanyan, as reported by the Transport and Communications Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. The plan is to supply the gas via a SWAP scheme through Iran, which has given preliminary consent. The discussed supply volume ranges from 600 million to 1 billion cubic meters. The report states that Armenia is considering the option of transiting Turkmen gas through its territory to Georgia. Tbilisi has expressed its readiness for such cooperation, which could open new opportunities for energy supply in the Black Sea region. Currently, Armenia receives gas from Iran under the Gas for Electricity program. Gazprom Armenia operates the national gas transportation system.