Russia interested in TAPI

The Russian-Pakistani working group for cooperation in energy held a meeting in Islamabad and discussed involvement of Russian companies in the development of Pakistan’s petroleum infrastructure, including TAPI (Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India) and Iran-Pakistan, Trend reports.

The Russian delegation included members of the Ministry for Energy, Gazprom EP International, Stroytransgaz, INTER RAO UES, Siloviye Mashiny, Tekhnopromexport.

Bangladesh shows interest in the project.

The basic document for promotion of the project is the interstate deal signed in Ashkhabad in late 2010.

Security of the pipeline is still a disputable issue, because it will run through Afghanistan. Turkmenistan signed a memorandum of understanding with Afghanistan on TAPI in spring. State Gas Systems of Pakistan and GAIL Ltd. (India0 signed a deal on sales and purchase of Turkmen gas.

The Asian Development Bank said that over 20 years of negotiations allow construction of a 1800-km pipeline to connect energy suppliers of Middle Asia and Turkmenistan with markets in need of fuel in South Asia.