GCA: Turkmenistan's Iolotan gas field is world's second-largest

Gaffney, Cline & Associates (GCA) said Turkmenistan’s South Iolotan natural gas field is the world’s second-largest, with an estimated 21.2 trillion cu m (tcm) of gas reserves. Supergiant Iolotan field was discovered in the country’s Amu Daria basin in late-2006 (OGJ Online, Nov. 22, 2006).

In a recent presentation, Jim Gillett, GCA business development manager, said South Iolotan’s latest reserves estimate make it second only to giant South Pars gas field, shared by Iran and Qatar.

“Turkmenistan’s gas reserves are more than enough for any potential demand over the foreseeable future, whether it be from China, Russia, Iran, or Europe,” Gillett said.

However, Gillet said estimates of the central Asian nation’s reserves could increase even more, noting that in addition to South Iolotan, the country’s Yashlar field has substantial gas, too.

“The current estimated data for both South Iolotan and Yashlar may well increase still further as additional data are acquired,” Gillett said. Yashlar, a separate field, could contain 1.45-5 tcm, he said.

Under a previous estimate made by GCA, South Iolotan field was believed to hold as much as 14 tcm of gas.

Contact Eric Watkins at [email protected].