- Iran–Pakistan–India gas pipeline
The Iran–Pakistan–India gas pipeline, also known as the IPI pipeline or the Peace pipeline, is a proposed convert|2775|km|mi|0|adj=on pipeline to deliver
natural gas fromIran toPakistan andIndia . Iran is interested to also include China to this project.cite news |url=http://www.downstreamtoday.com/News/Articles/200804/Ahmadinejad_Would_Welcome_Chinese_Role_I_10460.aspx |title=Ahmadinejad Would Welcome Chinese Role In Gas Pipeline |publisher=Downstream Today |date=2008-04-28 |accessdate=2008-05-10] The project is expected to greatly benefit India and Pakistan, which do not have sufficient natural gas to meet their rapidly increasing domestic demand for energy. India is predicted to require 146 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas per annum by 2025, up from 33 bcm per annum in 2005.Fact|date=May 2008History
The project was conceptualized in 1989 by
Rajendra K. Pachauri in partnership with Ali Shams Ardekani, former Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran. Dr Pachauri proposed the plan to both Iranian and Indian governments in 1990. The Government of Iran responded positively to the proposal. At the annual conference of the International Association of Energy Economics, 1990, Dr Ardekani backed Dr Pachauri's proposal.Fact|date=May 2008The deal reached a setback on July 16, 2006, when Iran demanded a price of US$7.20 per million British thermal unit (US$6.80/GJ) of gas against India's offer of US$4.20 per million British thermal unit ($4.00/GJ). The Indian spokesperson stated that the price offered by Iran was more than 50% above the prevailing market price in India.cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=9fd6c349-c4f6-48e6-825d-fd1782638ef8&ParentID=9c222620-7c82-40e6-a6bd-5a965f6d5807&&Headline=Iran+rejects+Indian+gas+price+offer |title=Iran rejects Indian price for tripartite gas pipeline |publisher=
The Hindustan Times |date=2006-07-16 |accessdate=2008-05-10] India and Pakistan finally agreed in February 2007 to pay Iran US$4.93 per million British thermal units (US$4.67/GJ) but some details relating to price adjustment remained open to further negotiation. cite web |url=http://iran-daily.com/1386/2880/html/economy.htm#s238905 |title=Peace Pipeline Contract Soon, Gas Flow by 2011 |publisher=Iran Daily |date=2007-07-01 |accessdate=2008-05-10] The long-stalled talks made a breakthrough in April 2008 when Iranian PresidentMahmoud Ahmadinejad made whistle-stop visits to Pakistan and India.cite news |url=http://www.downstreamtoday.com/News/Articles/200805/IPI_Implementation_Nearing_Final_Stage__10718.aspx |title=IPI Implementation Nearing 'Final Stage' - Pakistani Official |publisher=Downstream Today |date=2008-05-08 |accessdate=2008-05-10]The Indian government has called for trilateral talks on the project in July 2008. The 2008 Pakistani general election has created a new Petroleum ministry in Pakistan which would be invited for the talks.cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/24/stories/2008062450300100.htm|title=Trilateral talks on pipeline likely next month|last=Mehdudia |first=Sujay |date=Jun 24, 2008|publisher=www.thehindu.com|accessdate=2008-06-24]
Route
The pipeline is proposed to start from
Asalouyeh and stretch over 1100 kilometres through Iran. In Pakistan, it will pass through Baluchistan andSind . cite web |url=http://iran-daily.com/1386/2879/html/national.htm#s238560 |title=India, Pakistan Agree Over Gas Pipeline Tariffs |publisher=Iran Daily |date=2007-06-30 |accessdate=2008-05-10]Technical description
The pipeline will be supplied from the South Pars field. The initial capacity of the pipeline will be 22 bcm of natural gas per annum, which is expected to be raised later to 55 bcm.cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUKISL26015020080429 |title=Iranian president tries to seal India pipeline |author=Bappa Majumdar, Nidhi Verma |publisher=
Reuters |date=2008-04-29 |accessdate=2008-05-10] It is expected to cost US$7.5 billion. The construction is to start in 2009 and the pipeline is expected to be completed in September 2012.cite news |url=http://www.downstreamtoday.com/News/Articles/200805/Pakistan_India_Commit_to_Start_up__10561.aspx |title=Pakistan, India Commit to 2009 Start-up for Pipeline Construction |publisher=Downstream Today |date=2008-05-01 |accessdate=2008-05-10]See also
*
Energy security
*Iran-India relations
*Indo-Pakistani relations
*Iran–Pakistan relations References
External links
* [http://www.american.edu/TED/iranpipeline.htm Iran to India Natural Gas Pipeline: Implications for Conflict Resolution & Regionalism in India, Iran, and Pakistan] , by Shamila N. Chaudhary
* [http://jang.com.pk/thenews/jan2007-weekly/busrev-15-01-2007/p8.htm Iran-Pak-India Gas Pipeline: Implications & Prospects] , by Sohaib Shahid
* [http://isg-mit.org/IAQ-storage/IAQ_Vol.4_No1_2007.pdf The Political Economy of the Iran-Pakistan-India Gas Pipeline] , by Ali Mostashari, Iran Analysis Quarterly Vol. 4 No.1 Page 22-34
* [http://www.gummyprint.com/blog/iran-pakistan-india-laying-the-peace-pipeline/ The 'Peace Pipeline' and its implications on International Diplomatic Policy and the War on Terror] , October 2007
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