Turkmengaz receives methane detection equipment under EU, GIZ project

Photo: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 21. State Concern Turkmengaz has received equipment for detecting methane emissions under the European Union’s Green Development in Turkmenistan project, implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

According to the press service of the Turkmen government, the handover ceremony took place on October 19 at the Research Institute of Natural Gas under Turkmengaz.

The equipment includes a portable optical gas imaging (OGI) camera manufactured by Spain’s SENSIA Solutions. Using infrared technology, the camera can detect gas emissions, including methane, in real time.

The equipment was provided as part of efforts to introduce a leak detection and repair (LDAR) system. A practical training session was also organized for Turkmengaz specialists on operating the equipment and applying LDAR technologies, including laser scanners and thermal imaging cameras.

The ceremony was attended by German Ambassador to Turkmenistan Petra Dachtler, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Turkmenistan Maciej Madaliński, and Research Institute Director Bayrammyrat Pirniyazov.

Representatives of the parties formalized the equipment handover by signing the relevant protocol. Speaking at the ceremony, Dachtler emphasized the importance of reducing methane emissions from oil and gas production to protect the climate. Turkmenistan is a party to the Paris Agreement and the Global Methane Pledge, which aims to reduce emissions of this greenhouse gas.

The “EU for a Green Turkmenistan: Policy Dialogue and Climate Action 2024–2028” project (sometimes referred to as Green Development in Turkmenistan), implemented by GIZ and co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Foreign Office, has a budget of approximately €4.77 million (with additional EU funding of €2 million later allocated). It forms part of the Green Central Asia II programme and the Team Europe initiative on water, energy and climate change. Key partners include Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Concern Turkmengaz. The project focuses on strengthening policy dialogue, promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency, reducing methane and greenhouse gas emissions (including through LDAR systems and pilot technologies), supporting climate adaptation measures, building institutional and human capacity, and aligning with Turkmenistan’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Global Methane Pledge. It runs until March 2028 and includes pilot activities such as methane leak detection equipment, solar-powered systems, and capacity-building programmes for specialists.