Russia shows interest in gas pipeline

Turkmenistan sits atop the world's fourth-biggest natural gas reserves and Russia, China and the West are vying to expand their presence there. – AFP Photo (File)

TURKMENBASHI CITY: Russia’s state-owned gas company Gazprom could take part in a project to build gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India via Afghanistan, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin said on Friday.

Turkmenistan, holder of the world’s fourth-largest natural gas reserves, is keen to revive plans to build the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) pipeline. The project has been stalled by war in Afghanistan.

The long-delayed project would also further efforts by Turkmenistan, Central Asia’s largest gas producer, to diversify its export routes and lessen dependence on its traditional partner Russia.

Gazprom, the main buyer of Turkmen natural gas until Turkmenistan launched a China-bound pipeline last December, could play a role, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin said.

“The issue of Gazprom’s participation in the TAPI gas pipeline was discussed during this visit,” Mr Sechin told journalists during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to Turkmenistan.

“Gazprom may participate in this project in any capacity – builder, designer, participant, etc,” Mr Sechin said.

Pakistan and India have expressed an interest in buying up to 70 billion cubic metres annually.

A senior Afghan official said last month that Afghanistan would secure the planned pipeline through the Taliban heartland by burying its sections underground and paying local communities to guard it.—Reuters