TAPI pipeline: Talks unlikely to reach conclusion

Four countries discuss gas sale and purchase agreement.

NEW DELHI:

Official talks on Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) gas pipeline, which began on Monday, discussed gas sales and other details of the $7.6 billion project, but are unlikely to reach a conclusion, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported on Tuesday.

India is hosting the meeting, which among other things will deliberate a Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) and project structure. “The four-day talks will continue till April 28. An official statement is likely to be issued at the end of the talks on Thursday,” said an official.

The Technical Working Group (TWG) on TAPI project is holding meetings for the first three days and the steering committee will meet on April 28. However, GSPA is unlikely to be finalised in these talks and the four nations may agree on another date for holding further discussions.

“GSPA was originally to be concluded by April-end but it looks unlikely. The deadline is likely to be extended till July 31,” another official said.

The talks will also focus on proposed appointment of a transaction adviser for assisting in forming a consortium which will lay and operate the pipeline. It will also raise funds for the project after the signing of GSPA. Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2011.