GPFA of gas pipeline to be signed on Sept 20th

AZHAR ALI KHAN

The multi-billion dollar Gas Pipeline Framework Agreement (GPFA) of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project would be signed in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on September 20th (Monday).
The minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Syed Naveed Qamar would  sign the agreement from Pakistan along with the counterpart ministers from Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and India.
TAPI gas pipeline project is being planned to bring natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India.
The ADB sponsored pre-feasibility study, conducted in 2004, indicated that the 1680 km pipeline project was economically and financially viable and estimated cost was US$ 3.3 billion (revised to US$ 7.6 billion in 2008).
The pipeline would be designed to carry 3.2 BCFD gas from Turkmenistan, delivering 0.5 BCFD to Afghanistan and 1.35 BCFD each to Pakistan and India. Pakistan would be able to produce 6000 MW electricity using 1.35 BCFD gas.
After the signing of GPFA in Ashgabad next week, the parties are planning to convene rigorous rounds of negotiations so as to finalize the Gas Sales Purchase Agreement during a proposed TAPI summit in Ashgabad. The renewed attention to this project from the present government would lead to significantly improving energy availability for Pakistan and help resolve the energy crisis.