- Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline
The Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline (TAP or TAPI) is a proposed
natural gas pipeline being developed by theAsian Development Bank . The pipeline will transportCaspian Sea natural gas fromTurkmenistan throughAfghanistan intoPakistan and then toIndia . Proponents of the project see it as a modern continuation of theSilk Road . The Afghangovernment is expected to receive 8% of the project's revenue.History
The original project started in March 1995 when an inaugural memorandum of understanding between the governments of Turkmenistan and Pakistan for a pipeline project was signed. In August 1996, the Central Asia Gas Pipeline, Ltd. (CentGas) consortium for construction of a pipeline, led by
Unocal was formed. On27 October 1997 , CentGas was incorporated in formal signing ceremonies inAshgabat, Turkmenistan by several international oil companies along with the Government of Turkmenistan. In January 1998, theTaliban , selecting CentGas over Argentinian competitorBridas Corporation , signed an agreement that allowed the proposed project to proceed. In June 1998, RussianGazprom relinquishes its 10% stake in the project. Unocal withdrew from the consortium on8 December 1998 .The new deal on the pipeline was signed on
27 December 2002 by the leaders of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.cite news
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2608713.stm
title = Central Asia pipeline deal signed
author = Ian McWilliam
publisher =BBC
date = 2002-12-27
accessdate = 2008-05-18] In 2005, the Asian Development Bank submitted the final version of a feasibility study designed by British company Penspen. Since theUnited States military overthrew theTaliban government, the project has essentially stalled; construction of the Turkmen part was supposed to start in 2006, but the overall feasibility is questionable since the southern part of the Afghan section runs through territory which continues to be under "de facto " Taliban control.On
24 April 2008 , Pakistan, India and Afghanistan signed a framework agreement to buy natural gas from Turkmenistan.cite news
url = http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article153168.ece
title = Trio sign up for Turkmen gas
publisher = Upstream Online
date = 2008-04-25
accessdate = 2008-05-18]Route
The convert|1680|km|mi pipeline will run from the
Dauletabad gas field to Afghanistan. From there TAPI will be constructed alongside the highway running fromHerat toKandahar , and then viaQuetta andMultan in Pakistan. The final destination of the pipeline will be the Indian town ofFazilka , near the border between Pakistan and India.Technical features
The pipeline will be convert|1420|mm|in in diameter with a working pressure of 100 atm.cite news
url = http://www.gasandoil.com/goc/news/ntc64919.htm
title = Gas pipeline project Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India approved
publisher = Alexander's Gas & Oil Connections
date = 2006-11-21
accessdate = 2008-05-18] The initial capacity will be 27 billion cubic meter (bcm) of natural gas annually of which 2 bcm will be provided to Afghanistan and 12.5 bcm to both Pakistan and India. Later the capacity will increase to 33 bcm.cite news
url = http://www.downstreamtoday.com/News/Articles/200804/Talks_Over_Gas_Pipeline_Project_Kick_Off_10294.aspx
title = Talks Over Gas Pipeline Project Kick Off In Islamabad
publisher = Downstream Today
date = 2008-04-23
accessdate = 2008-05-18] Six compressor stations are to be constructed along the pipeline. The pipeline is expected to be operational by 2014.cite news
url = http://www.downstreamtoday.com/News/Articles/200804/India_Joins_Gas_Pipeline_Project_10370.aspx
title = India Joins Gas Pipeline Project
author = Deepak Joshi; Kamal Siddiqi
publisher = Downstream Today
date = 2008-04-24
accessdate = 2008-05-18]The cost of the pipeline is estimated cost at US$7.6 billion. The project is to be financed by the Asian Development Bank.cite news
url = http://www.gasandoil.com/goc/news/ntc65139.htm
title = Work on TAPI gas pipeline to be accelerated
publisher = Alexander's Gas & Oil Connections
date = 2006-11-26
accessdate = 2008-05-18]ee also
*
Zalmay Khalilzad
*CentGas
*Transport in Afghanistan
*Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline
*Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline (BTC)
*South Caucasus Pipeline
*Afghanistan Oil Pipeline
*Enron 'sDabhol Power Company References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.