The Hindu Business Line : India to join Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan pipeline project

Even as the proposed Iran-Pakistan-India natural gas pipeline is stuck over pricing, India is all set to join the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) gas pipeline project. A top official said India, which is looking for alternative sources of gas, would participate in the TAP meeting scheduled for September to join as a partner in the project.

A high-level team of the Petroleum Ministry is expected to participate in the meeting. Some of the issues, which are likely to be discussed, include finalising amendments to the inter-governmental and framework agreements of the project. Though TAP is not being considered as an alternative to the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline, it would be easier to implement as it is supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In mid-February, the Steering Committee of TAP had given India three months' time for submitting a formal request to join the $3.3-billion project. The feasibility report has been prepared by ADB, which is the lead development partner.

TAP is expected to transport 100 mmscmd (million standard cubic metres per day) of gas, of which India's share at best is likely to be 60 mmscmd. The Union Cabinet had in May approved participation of India in the TAP natural gas pipeline project. With this participation TAP would become TAPI - Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. The Cabinet had authorised the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to submit a formal request to join the project to the governments of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkmenistan, a process, which was facilitated by the ADB.

The proposed pipeline would stretch from the Turkmenistan/Afghanistan border in south-eastern Turkmenistan to Multan, Pakistan (1,271 km), with a 640-km extension to India. The proposed pipeline will carry natural gas from the Dauletabad Field in south-eastern Turkmenistan.

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