Pakistan Confident TAPI Gas Pipeline Will Be Complete by 2019

Pakistan's petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Saturday said that the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline will be complete by 2019.

Speaking at a function oragnised by Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the minister said the government is working on various projects to ease gas shortage in the economy, reported Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

He also stated that Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project will also become a reality.

The minister said three power projects were being installed in Punjab which would be run by LNG and would produce 3,600 megawatts of electricity by 2017. According to the minister, with prices currently ruling low, LNG has become an attractive fuel source. Pakistan recently signed a long term LNG deal with Qatar. 

Last week, Turkmen Ministry of Oil and Gas said in a statement that Preparation for the construction of the linear part of the Turkmen section of TAPI gas pipeline is being completed. Recently, the four TAPI nations signed initial investment agreement regarding the multi-billion dollar gas pipeline project. The much delayed TAPI gas pipeline project was formally inaugurated on December 13.

TurkmenGaz will be the leader of the consortium and have 85%. Along with GAIL India, ISGS of Pakistan and Afghan Gas Enterprise (AGE) will each take 5%. The TAPI pipeline will have a capacity to carry 90mn m³/d.