Turkmenistan: Serhetabat–Herat TAPI Section to Be Completed by 2026

The transportation of Turkmen natural gas to Afghanistan through the TAPI pipeline was among the key topics discussed at the conclusion of Turkmenistan’s International Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition.

Turkmen officials have announced plans to complete the Serhetabat–Herat section of the pipeline by the end of this year.

Maksat Babayev, Chairman of the state-owned Turkmengaz company, said construction of the Serhetabat–Herat section is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with the first gas deliveries scheduled to begin by mid-2027.

According to Babayev, the volume of gas required by Afghanistan has not yet been finalized, and the start of deliveries will also depend on the Afghan side’s readiness to receive the gas.

Zabihullah Islami, an economic analyst, said: “If this project is implemented and gas is distributed in Afghanistan, the country will benefit in many ways, including price stability, the use of gas for electricity generation, and opportunities for private sector growth and development.”

The TAPI pipeline is designed to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India.

In addition to supplying natural gas, the project is expected to turn Afghanistan into an energy transit corridor connecting Central and South Asia.

The Serhetabat–Herat section of the TAPI pipeline, which serves as the entry route for Turkmen gas into Afghanistan, is reportedly 80% complete.

Completing this section is considered a major milestone in the implementation of the project.

Nazifullah Naeemi, an oil and gas expert, said: “Regional countries can play a key role in completing this project. Turkmenistan, as the gas supplier; Pakistan and India, as consumer countries; and Afghanistan, as the transit country, can accelerate the completion and operation of the project through joint cooperation.”

A delegation from the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, led by Sayed Karim Hashemi, also participated in the conference.

On the sidelines of the event, the delegation met with officials from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and representatives of international oil and gas companies.

Ehsanullah Ehsan, the chamber’s public relations director, said: “During these meetings, emphasis was placed on expanding trade relations, attracting investment to Afghanistan, and strengthening cooperation between the private sectors of the two countries.”

Turkmenistan has also announced that it expects to produce approximately 80 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually in 2026 and 2027.

Turkmenistan’s International Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition concluded yesterday, October 23, in Ashgabat, with officials emphasizing the expansion of energy transportation routes.