The importance of energy transmission pipelines, particularly for natural gas, is widely recognized due to the global dependence on energy. For landlocked Central Asian countries, natural gas pipelines play a crucial role in sustaining their energy-driven economies. Given its geographical constraints, Turkmenistan places significant emphasis on projects like the Trans-Caspian Pipeline. This pipeline, if implemented, would enable Turkmenistan to export natural gas to Azerbaijan, potentially bringing substantial changes to the region’s energy landscape. This article adopts a qualitative research method and employs the theoretical framework of the Copenhagen School. The central research question is: What are the key drivers and obstacles to the implementation of the Trans-Caspian Pipeline in the coming years? The research hypothesis suggests that factors such as the finalization of the convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan’s energy security concerns, the resolution of disputed energy fields between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, and the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war serve as major driving forces. Conversely, environmental concerns, Turkmenistan’s economic and political situation, and opposition from Iran, Russia, and China are among the key obstacles hindering the project's realization.
Odlu et al. (Tue,) studied this question.