Mine Removal Process on TAPI Route Begins in Afghanistan

The process of removal of mines in Afghanistan from the  Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline route has begun with the help of Afghan security forces, Pakistani newspaper The Nation reported Wednesday citing a senior energy official.

Mobeen Saulat, the CEO of Pakistan's Inter-State Gas Systems (ISGS) told The Nation project is near its financial close and will be ready for implementation by the end of 2016.

Security of the gas pipeline will be high on Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov’s visit to Pakistan which began Wednesday. Berdimuhamedow will also discuss the progress of the multi-billion dollar pipeline with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Last week, Turkmen oil and gas ministry said in a statement that preparation for the construction of the linear part of the Turkmen section of TAPI gas pipeline is being completed. The much delayed TAPI gas pipeline project was formally inaugurated on December 13.

Security of the project is a major concern, especially in Afghanistan. Earlier this year, members of Helmand provincial council said that the volatile situation in the province could pose a major threat to the implementation of TAPI. However, Daud Shah Saba, Afghan Minister of Mines and Petroleum, told Upper House in Kabul in December that a 7,000-member security force will be raised to guard the gas pipeline project.

TurkmenGaz will be the leader of the consortium and shall take 85%. Along with GAIL India, ISGS and Afghan Gas Enterprise (AGE) will also take 5% each. The TAPI pipeline will have a capacity to carry 90mn m³/day.