Will Turkey's LNG Deals Derail Turkmenistan's Gas Export Dreams?

Turkmenistan’s hopes of arranging a swap deal to carry the first small volumes of its gas to Turkey, and possibly on to Europe, have been dealt a blow, as Ankara has inked its third long-term LNG purchase agreement in five months. September 18 saw Turkey’s state gas importer Botas agree with France’s TotalEnergies to import 1.6 billion cubic metres (bcm) per year of LNG from the United States, starting in 2027. The new deal follows a similar Botas agreement with Shell signed earlier in September covering 4 bcm per year also beginning…