India May Supply Gas to Pakistan

India may begin exporting natural gas to Pakistan if necessary clearance is granted by government authorities, the Times of India reported.

State-owned GAIL's just commissioned natural gas pipeline from west coast to Bhatinda in Punjab is barely 25-km away from Pakistan border and the gas utility is proposing that the line can be extended to Lahore in no time, the newspaper said.

GAIL is planning to move its imported gas from Dahej or Hazira terminals in Gujarat through the Dahej-Vijaipur-Dadri-Bawana-Nangal-Bhatinda pipeline to Punjab and then into Pakistan.

Pakistan has been experience a severe shortfall in gas supplies. Gas supply in Pakistan at around 5.497 bcfd in the year to June 30, 2012 is short of demand by 2.458 bcfd. Supplies, according to the State Bank of Pakistan, are likely to increase to 6.354 bcfd in 2015-16 but the deficit will expand further to 3.021 bcfd.