Azernews.Az

By Aynur Karimova

The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India natural gas pipeline project, with a proposed capacity of transporting 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year, is becoming a reality. Turkmenistan has revealed that the date for the groundbreaking ceremony of the 1,735-kilometer TAPI pipeline will be December 13, 2015.

This date will become a milestone towards the implementation of the TAPI pipeline project, which will extend from Galkynysh field in Turkmenistan through the Afghan cities of Herat and Kandahar, and along to its final point at a settlement along the Pakistani-Indian border.

Despite the fact that the TAPI project has been discussed for over 10 years, and its implementation was cancelled several times due to security problems in the transit countries, Turkmenistan showed a great desire to complete this Ashgabat-initiated project, as this energy-rich Central Asian country is keen on diversifying its natural gas export routes.

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed a decree on November 7 ordering the design and construction of the TAPI gas pipeline’s Turkmen section, entrusting this work to two state concerns - Turkmengaz and Turkmennebitgazgurlushyk.

The document also stipulates the hand-over of the facilities, fully ready for operation of the pipeline, in December 2018.

The implementation of the project will strengthen Turkmenistan's independence, and as a result its gas supplies to world markets will significantly increase.

Also, it is expected that that the implementation of the TAPI pipeline project would represent an enormous breakthrough for Turkmenistan's capabilities as an international energy player.

Experts claim that problems related to security in Afghanistan must not slow the project's implementation, and expect no additional delays in carrying out the TAPI project.

In spite of security problems in the transit countries, particularly in Afghanistan, the pipeline could be adequately protected, given sufficient monetary expenditures on pipeline security, as well as sufficient cooperation from the governments along the route.

Turkmenistan has invited Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony. Carrying out the TAPI project is expected to become an additional stimulus for expanding bilateral relations between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan in the energy, transport and communications sectors.

TAPI is seen as an opportunity to pave the way for stability in Afghanistan and could contribute to the rehabilitation of the war-torn country. It will also create more jobs and provide Afghanistan with a guaranteed income from the transit of natural gas.

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Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova

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