Turkmenistan's Pivot Westward Threatens Russia's Gas Dominance

A big shift is brewing for Caspian Basin energy exports. In a diplomatic about-face, Turkmenistan has signaled its readiness to develop a Trans-Caspian pipeline that potentially could increase natural gas deliveries to the European Union.  The westward shift in Ashgabat’s export intentions is not expected to impact Turkmenistan’s ability to fulfill existing exportcommitments to China.

The Central Asian state is believed to have more than enough reserves to send large volumes of gas eastward and westward.  The Turkmen announcement,…