Pakistan, Turkmenistan ink plan for TAPI gas pipeline construction

Pakistan and Turkmenistan have signed a Joint Implementation Plan (JIP) in a bid to expedite work on the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India (TAPI) gas pipeline project and complete the feasibility of the project at the earliest, Report informs referring to The Express Tribune.

The JIP was signed by Minister of State for Petroleum Dr Musadik Malik and State Minister and Head of TurkmenGaz Maksat Babayev, according to a statement.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, senior cabinet functionaries, representatives from the Petroleum Division and Inter State Gas Systems Pvt Ltd.

The accord was signed at the end of two-day visit to Pakistan by a high-ranking Turkmenistan delegation headed by Babayev, Deputy Minister of Energy Annageldi Saparov, CEO and Chairman of BOD, TPCL, Muhammetmyrat Amanov.

It said that the JIP would envisage the constitution of a Senior Coordination Committee (SCC) to expedite and oversee the project activities.

The prime minister nominated Special Assistant to PM Dr Jehanzeb Khan to work as a focal person from the Pakistan side as the head of the SCC.

In the meeting with the Turkmenistan delegation, PM Shehbaz said that being a critical component of his government's vision, the TAPI gas pipeline project would ensure energy security, economic growth and prosperity in Pakistan as well as the entire region.

“TAPI gas project is a manifestation of the strategic cooperation between Pakistan and Turkmenistan in the energy sector,” a statement issued by the PM Office quoted Shehbaz as saying.

The government of Pakistan also invited Turkmenistan to explore gas connectivity from the Chaman border to Gwadar and building LNG terminals at Gwadar, which would expand supplies to Europe and global LNG markets.

The TAPI gas pipeline project aims to bring natural gas from the Galkynysh gas field in Turkmenistan to Pakistan through Afghanistan.

The pipeline will transport up to 33 billion cubic meters (bcm) (average 3.2 BCFD) of natural gas per year over a 30-year period. The supply source is the Galkynysh gas field in the eastern region of Turkmenistan whereas Pakistan's off-take will be 1.3 BCFD with a pipeline diameter of 56 inches. The proposed route is supply source - Herat - Kandahar - Chaman - Zhob - DG Khan - Multan - Fazilika with a pipeline length of 1,849 kilometers. The engagements/interactions of the Turkmen delegation were characterized by mutual goodwill in a spirit of understanding, cooperation, and amity.