ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has informed Iran that it has selected the southern coastal route crossing through Gwadar for the construction of the proposed Iran Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline between the two neighbours.
According to official sources, the selection of the route was imperative, as Iran will build the connecting point at the border. They indicated that the consultant working on the project will take at least 15 months to map out the detailed engineering design of the IP gas pipeline on the Pakistani side, after which construction would commence by 2012.
The pipeline would be laid along the Balochistan coastline up to Nawabshah, Sindh from where it will be linked to the national gas transmission network. Iran has already pointed out that it has already built a 900 km pipeline of 56-inch diameter from the Assulyah gas processing facility to Iran Shehar.
Apparently, only 250 km of the pipeline required to reach the Pakistan border remains. Pakistan is to build a 42-inch diameter pipeline beginning from its border with a capacity to convey 750 million cubic feet of gas per day; sources stress their belief if timely progress at all stages are achieved, then the gas will hopefully start flowing from 2015.
Sources elaborated that the funding for and construction of the IP gas pipeline are big challenges; considering the implications of UN sanctions on Iran. The interest evinced by the Russian oil and gas giant Gazprom in the construction of the pipeline was a positive sign. The corporation would be a great asset to the project.
Gazprom, sources said was also interested in participating in the proposed Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) gas pipeline. At present Pakistan’s gas production is estimated at 4.2 BCFD; however requirements are estimated to be 5.5 BCFD.
The gas shortfall is estimated to increase to 2 BCFD from this year onwards. Pakistan is expected to obtain 750 MCFD from the IP gas pipeline and 1.25 BCFD if the TAPI project ever comes to fruition.
