| Date: |
13-12-2010 |
| Subject: |
India inks pacts to import gas from Turkmenistan |
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India has inked agreements to buy natural gas from Turkmenistan through the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-
Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project. The agreements were signed in Turkmenistan on Saturday.
The Petroleum Minister, Mr Murli Deora, said that, “Through the Inter-Governmental Agreement and the Gas Pipeline Framework Agreement (GPFA), we have laid the foundation for the project.”
The about $8-billion TAPI project will get 38 mscmd of gas for India. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a lead development partner of the project.
“While the TAPI project envisages gas supply of 38 mscmd to India, we would be in a position to consume larger quantities of gas from Turkmenistan,” Mr Deora said, adding that “there are issues that need to be addressed. We have to come to a decision regarding the price of the gas, security of the pipeline, certainty of gas supply, transit fee, and setting up of the consortium.”
The Minister also pointed out that as a buyer India is at the tail-end of the project and that “we have concerns that relate to realities that surround us.”
Source : thehindubusinessline.com
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