Till recent, the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project was seen as a pipedream, but it has suddenly turned into a reality and apparently its completion is not too far.
Turkmenistan which will deliver the gas has invested $ 25 billion, of which $15 billion is for gas field development and $10 billion for laying the pipeline. This project is likely to be completed by 2020, and made operational in 2024. Gas will be provided for next 25 years and its price will be 20% cheaper than Brent crude. Japanese, Chinese and some other companies have won contracts for gas field and pipeline.
The 56 inches diameter TAPI gas pipeline project will transport 3.2 billion cubic ft of gas annually from the Galkynysh gas fields in Turkmenistan, with 16% earmarked for Afghanistan, and 42% each for Pakistan and India.
The 1814 km long TAPI gas pipeline project after passing through Afghanistan (Herat, Farah, Nimroz, Helmand, Kandahar), will enter Pakistan at Chaman. The 820 km long Pakistan section pipeline will traverse through Qila Abdullah, Pishin, Ziarat, Loralai and Musakhel districts in Balochistan; and Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Multan, Khanewal, Vehari, Pakpattan and Okara districts in Punjab. From Chaman, one branch will veer towards Pasni along Mekran Coast. Pipeline will journey through 17 districts including 8 in Baluchistan and 9 in Punjab. From Punjab, it will then home into India at Fazilka.
The $7.4 billion IPI line envisaged transporting 5.4 Billion cubic feet (Bcf) Iranian natural gas to Pakistan and India. From South Pars, the pipeline stretched over 1,100 km within Iran before entering Pakistan, travelling through Khuzdar. One section was to run through Karachi, and the main section going through Multan to the Indian border (760 km), thereafter travelling 860 km to Delhi.
While Iran completed the process of pipe laying inside its territory, Pakistan couldn’t do its bit due to lack of funds, fear of USA and reservations on gas charges.
The TAPI agreement was signed by Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan at Ashgabat in 2010. The project was held up due to insecurity in Afghanistan.
TAPI project was given a go-ahead signal in February 2018 by four partners including India after settling transit dues and each member promising to contribute $500 million. Saudi backed Asian Development Bank pledged to provide $750 million. Trump administration support the project.
While Turkmenistan will be the major beneficiary since it would supply gas to three countries, Afghanistan will be next beneficiary since it would earn $420 million royalty per annum. Pakistan will be the third beneficiary since it would also be charging transit fee from India.
Conclusion. Till such time Afghanistan becomes peaceful and Kashmir issue is resolved, TAPI project will remain a pipedream.
The writer is a retired Brig, war veteran, defence analyst, columnist, author of five books, Vice Chairman TFP, Director Measac Research Centre. [email protected]
