ISLAMABAD, Aug 16: The eighth meeting of the steering committee of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan is meeting here in mid-September to consider a report on provision of "international security through a third party" for the proposed $3 billion gas pipeline project.
"It is being proposed that the security of the 1,700- kilometre gas pipeline should be contracted out a third party and this is how all the three countries can facilitate the early lying of this huge pipeline," said Marshuk Ali Shah, ADB's senior resident representative.
Talking to Dawn here on Monday, he said that the committee would discuss a number of issues which have been finalized to take up the gas pipeline project as early as possible.
For example, he said, the feasibility study was now ready along with the country framework programme and the study on the pipeline's security. "On top of it, the report on the most critical question relating to gas reserves estimates for Daulatabad gasfield in Turkmenistan will be ready before the meeting," he added.
He said these reports would be discussed in the meeting to ensure that these gas reserves should be sufficient for at least 30 years to cater to the requirements of Pakistan and the western areas of India. "And this matter needs full certification".
Mr Shah said that it was being ensured that Pakistan developed four months' capacity to eliminate the possibility of gas shortage besides ensuring that there was no disruption of supply to consumers, including those in India in any crisis situation.
He said that India had been seeking assurances from Pakistan government about the pipeline's security, adding: "I am glad that Pakistani authorities have reacted positively and they are forthcoming to assure India about the safety and security of the gas pipeline".
ADB's local chief said that the most vulnerable area was that of Afghanistan for which Kabul was expected to provide necessary security. Pakistan had earlier invited international energy firms to participate in the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan gas pipeline project as sponsors and contractors, following firm assurance from Ashkabad that its Daulatabad gas field would remain dedicated to the project.
The ADB was expected to formally reinitiate the expressions of interest for the project after the next steering committee meeting scheduled. Pakistan has set up an independent company that is named IGCL and owned by Pakistan's two gas utilities, to look after all matters relating to gas import projects.
The parties to the project have already agreed to the Southern route for the project that starts from Daulatabad to Herat-Kandahar-Quetta and Multan. The ADB had indicated recently to develop a mega project of gas pipeline network in South-Asia involving Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Iran and India that could involve all the three gas options Pakistan was currently keeping open.
India currently requires 5-6 billion cubic feet per day of gas and the market would be growing even further. Turkmenistan has been indicating that Daulatabad field had total reserves of 45 TCF of which remaining recoverable reserves stood at 23 TCF.