Only the two most important fossil fuel fields in Turkmenistan would have released emissions equivalent to 366 million tons of CO2 in 2022, according to the Guardian, citing satellite data from the French company Kayrros. That’s more than the annual emissions of the entire UK.
The consequences for global warming are far-reaching: methane emissions are responsible for about a quarter of global warming. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), to reach the target of 1.5 degrees, they must be reduced by about a third by 2030 compared to current levels. Gas emissions are “insane” and an “extremely annoying” problem that should be easy to fix, experts say.
Elimination of leaks “quick” method
A number of research findings suggest that the shift from flaring to venting methane could be the cause of some of the “huge outflows”, according to the Guardian. Burning burns off unwanted gas, releasing CO2 into the atmosphere – but you can tell by the gas explosion. When vented, invisible methane is released into the air without being burned, which is difficult to detect and traps 80 times more heat than CO2.
The Guardian says the fastest, easiest and cheapest way to reduce methane emissions is to stop leaks from fossil fuel storage. Researchers have already shown that repairing just 29 plants could stop methane leaks, which would have an impact on global warming similar to the annual emissions from all cars in Alabama, according to financial news agency Bloomberg.
APA/AFP/NASA/JPL-Caltech satellite images show gas leaks in Turkmenistan
US sees “opportunity for cooperation”
In the US, the issue has already reached a political dimension. John Kerry, the US special envoy on climate issues, spoke with Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov earlier this week. The Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported an “exchange of views” and stated that it is consistently working on introducing eco-friendly technologies. Between 2019 and 2022, however, Turkmenistan’s methane emissions have barely changed, according to the Guardian.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Secretary of State Raschid Meredow in Washington in April. Reducing methane emissions is “crucially important” to combating the climate crisis, and he defended “opportunities for cooperation”.
First results planned for COP28
Together, they will form a methane reduction working group and strive to “deliver results on reducing methane emissions” at the UN climate change conference (COP28) in November, according to a US statement. Officials from both countries will talk about a deal under which the US will provide “financial support and expertise” to the Central Asian state, Bloomberg said, citing US State Department officials and “persons familiar with the negotiations.”
Work at the pilot sites could start by the end of the year, and fixing the leaks could help achieve at least 3% of the required emissions reductions, US officials said.
IMAGO/SNA A person stands in front of a burning crater in Karakum, Turkmenistan
“Pumping gasoline from the ground and immediately releasing it into the air is as smart as driving a car over a cliff,” said Euan Nisbet of the Royal Holloway University of London, a member of the Scientific Oversight Committee of the International Methane Observatory. Emissions (IMEO) of the UN, in front of the “Guardian”. So if the US could help Turkmenistan rapidly reduce methane emissions, Kerry would get “a lot of credit”.
Skepticism about foreign aid offers
If a deal with Turkmenistan is indeed approved, the media sees an “important advance in the global fight against climate change” on the one hand, but also a diplomatic coup for US President Joe Biden on the other. The huge natural gas deposits in Turkmenistan have recently increased in value as a result of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.
In case of an agreement with the US, Turkmenistan could recover up to 5.8 billion cubic meters of gas, which would also have consequences for global supplies. And American oilfield contractors Halliburton Co. and SLB would also likely benefit from being involved in leak detection and equipment replacement. The US Export-Import Bank is a possible funding source, according to Bloomberg.
IMAGO/VCG A gas processing plant in Lebap province in Turkmenistan
Model for other agreements?
If the pact actually happens between the countries, the agreement could also serve as a model for tailored agreements focused on methane. Other countries like Algeria may also be enticed to follow suit, Jonathan Banks, director of methane pollution prevention at the Clean Air Task Force, told Bloomberg. “It kind of stokes the fire to get countries moving forward on this,” Banks said.
“Reducing methane emissions is critical to meeting the Paris Agreement target,” Manfredi Caltagirone, head of the UN environment program IMEO, told the Guardian. “Turkmenistan is an important focus for global action on methane emissions, but so are other major emitters such as Russia, the United States, Iran, Iraq, China, Libya, Algeria, Venezuela and Canada.”
“Geopolitically Difficult Target”
Given the potential for emissions savings, Turkmenistan is a logical but geopolitically difficult target for cooperation, according to Bloomberg. The Berdimuhamedov family regime maintains few diplomatic relations with the outside world and is wary of foreign offers of help.
The former Soviet republic also maintains close ties with China: Beijing is considered one of the country’s most important patrons and is the biggest buyer of Turkmen gas. Turkmenistan’s foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment on the US talks, according to Bloomberg.