«Turkmen Energy»:

 —How does the International Gas Union assess the long-term role of natural gas in the global energy transition, and what are the most important factors shaping its position in the future energy mix? 

 Andrea Stegher: 

— Natural gas will continue to be a central, f lexible, and scalable component of the global energy mix for the coming decades. Our 2025 Global Gas Report indicates that demand rose in 2024 and is forecast to grow further, driven by gas-for-power, industrial use, and new end-uses — with significant upscaling across Asia, parts of North America, and Europe, where natural gas supports the integration of renewables into the energy mix, in addition to enhancing energy security. 

The IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2025 also shows that, under the most pragmatic scenarios, gas demand will continue to grow in the medium and long term. 

The strengths of gas lie in its combination of availability, flexibility, affordability, and the ability to use existing infrastructure to connect markets regionally and internationally. 

When used for power generation, natural gas also provides the reliability needed to manage the intermittency of renewables to cope with the intermittency of renewables, and its reliability will also be essential to support the new demand from data centres and AI. 

Overall, appropriate policies and investments in innovation will be essential to unlock the full potential  of gas. The most important factors include:

• market design and price signals that value f lexibility and low-carbon attributes; 

• the pace of deployment and cost-competitiveness of low-emission gases (biomethane, hydrogen, e-methane) and CCUS; 

• effective methane mitigation across the entire Gas value chain; 

• geopolitical and investment climates.

«Turkmen Energy»:

 — What key initiatives or programmes is the IGU implementing to support natural gas-producing countries and exporters in strengthening market access, investment, and long-term security of supply?  

 Andrea Stegher: 

—As the global voice of gas in all its forms, and with more than 140 members in 70 countries representing the entire gas value chain, we play an important role in bringing international best practices and experience to relevant stakeholders through our technical committees and sustained fact-based engagement. 

What we support and advocate for is simple: we advocate for freedom of energy choices, as each country has a different energy profile than the next, and availability, affordability and sustainability need to be taken into consideration. 

Among the most immediately viable energy options, gas has a fundamental role that we will continue promoting through international cooperation, industry reports and technical knowledge sharing

«Turkmen Energy»: 

— Turkmenistan plays a growing role in Eurasian energy security through its large-scale export pipelines to China and the ongoing development of the TAPI project. How does the IGU view the strategic significance of such transnational gas corridors? 

Andrea Stegher: 

— Let me begin by saying that we would strongly welcome Turkmenistan and its natural gas entities to join the IGU. 

Transnational gas corridors not only connect markets, but also contribute to long-term cooperation. Natural gas serves as a critical enabler of economic activity, supporting industrial operations, agriculture, and reliable power supply, while contributing to lower emissions.

«Turkmen Energy»: 

— This year marked your first official participation in the «Oil & Gas of Turkmenistan – OGT 2025» Conference and Exhibition. What were your impressions of the event? 

Andrea Stegher: 

— My first time at OGT 2025 was truly inspiring. The event promotes open dialogue between producers, consumers and service companies. 

OGT can become a bridge between Central Asia and global markets, strengthening regional security and economic integration.

«Turkmen Energy»: 

— With increasing focus on methane abatement, carbon intensity, and cleaner value chains, how can gas-producing nations accelerate adoption of low carbon solutions while maintaining competitiveness and attracting investment?

Andrea Stegher: 

— There are two words that provide the answer to your question: “innovation” and “commitment”. Almost 40% of our members have committed to reduce their methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030. 

CCUS technologies play an important role. It is also necessary to optimise transmission systems, reduce flaring and expand the use of renewable gases.

«Turkmen Energy»: 

— Digital technologies are reshaping the gas sector. What advancements does IGU consider most impactful for improving efficiency, safety, and sustainability across the industry?  

Andrea Stegher: 

— Key areas include: 

• AI-enabled market forecasting; 

• predictive maintenance to reduce costs; 

• investment optimisation through digital twins; 

• optimisation of LNG logistics and production; 

• methane monitoring and MRV systems; 

• strengthening cybersecurity; 

• digitalisation of CCUS logistics; 

• use of AI in exploration. 

This is just the beginning. The International Gas Union sees natural gas as an important partner to renewable energy sources. Through digital innovation, methane emissions reduction and practical low-carbon solutions, gas can provide a reliable and pragmatic foundation for the global energy transition. 

Global gas demand growth in 2024 is supported by the IGU’s 2025 Global Gas Report, which states that demand rose by 78 bcm, or 1.9%, to 4,122 bcm. (International Gas Union)