Turkmenistan to Soon Begin Laying Linear Section of TAPI Gas Pipeline

Preparation for the construction of the linear part of the Turkmen section of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) is being completed, Turkmen Ministry of Oil and Gas said in a statement Wednesday.

According to the statement, state owned Turkmennebitgazgurlyshyk prepared more than 6,312 meters of pipes of 1,420 mm diameter for welding up pipe sections. 

After laying the linear part of the pipeline in the Turkmen section, automation and remote control will be introduced which will enable control of the entire gas pipeline network from a single point.

Designers have finished survey work on the route from Galkynysh field till the border with Afghanistan. This will help choose the best route for the pipeline and to determine the characteristics of the pipe used for the transportation of gas, the Ministry said.

Also, work continues on the analysis and sampling of equipment required for installation and use on the linear part of the pipeline and its supporting ground stations.

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 shall take 85 percent equity. Along with GAIL India, ISGS of Pakistan and Afghan Gas Enterprise (AGE) will also take 5 percent stake each. The TAPI pipeline will have a capacity to carry 90 million standard cubic metres a day (mmscmd) gas for 30 years and is planned to become operational in 2018.