India joins Pakistan in Turkmenistan pipeline project

By Augustine Anthony

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - India signed up on Thursday to join a multi-billion dollar Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan gas pipeline project, to secure another source of energy for its fast growing economy.

Indian Oil Minister Murli Deora and counterparts from Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan signed a framework agreement for the $7.6 billion pipeline, that they aim to start building in 2010.

The idea of piping gas from Turkmenistan to south Asia has been little more than a dream for years because of the turmoil in Afghanistan, but the ministers said they were determined to complete the project.

"All sides are strongly committed to the finalisation of the project," said Pakistani Petroleum Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.

Turkmenistan has never officially disclosed its gas reserves, but according to a statement from the ministers issued after the meeting, the country agreed to provide all parties with technical specifications of gas supply for the project.

The 1,680-km Turkemenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) will supply 3.2 billion cubic feet per day (90 MMSCMD) and gas flows are expected from 2015.

Afghanistan proposed to off-take up to 5 million cubic metres a day (MMCMD) in the first two years while its consumption would rise to 14 MMCMD from the third year, according to the ministers' statement.

Pakistan and India agreed in principle to share equally the remaining volume.