The prospects of trans-Caspian gas pipeline

Turkmenistan hosted the ministers of energy from Azerbaijan, Turkey and Turkmenistan as well as the EU commissioner for energy, Guenther Oettinger. It appeared that the Trans Caspian gas pipeline project TANAP is interested in Turkmen gas. The best way of transporting Turkmen gas to the West is by using the pipeline by the Caspian Sea bed. However, Iran and Russia challenge this option, stating it is an ecological threat to the Caspian Sea and its environment. TANAP project envisages using Azeri natural gas but on the second stage Turkmen gas will be needed.