India has achieved some progress in its participation in two mega transnational gas pipelines that aim at meeting its domestic requirements from gas-rich countries like Turkmenistan and Iran.
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora is learnt to have had successful talks with his counterparts in Pakistan for the Iran-Pakistan-Iran pipeline and some agreement has been reached on transit fees payable to that country.
The 2,600-km IPI pipeline will have 1,035 km of pipeline in Pakistan that includes some 240 km for India's exclusive use. The pipeline that will initially carry 600 mmscmd of gas is scheduled for completion by 2011. The IPI pipeline will be built by the three countries independently with a total investment of over $7 billion. Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on his recent visit to India, expressed optimism of the deal being finalised in the near future.
Meanwhile, India has formally agreed to join the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline, marking a furtherance of its energy security measures. Gail (India) Ltd is learnt to be one in the consortium that will be construct the pipeline. Unlike the IPI pipeline, the 1,680-km TAPI pipeline will be constructed by a consortium of entities from respective countries. The next round of talks on the TAPI pipeline are scheduled for October this year after gas assets in Turkmenistan are certified.