IPI Iran-Pakistan-India and IP Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project

Iran-Pakistan-India Gas Pipeline

Iran-Pakistan-India Gas Pipeline or simply IPI Project is also called “Peace Project”. Many companies from different countries are interested in IPI Pipeline Project; Gazprom (Russia), BHP Billiton (Australia), PETRONAS (Malaysia), Total (France), Royal Dutch Shell, BG Group and GAIL India.
Route for IPI Pipeline was proposed from South Pars Oil Field Iran to Khuzdar, Karachi, Multan and then to New Delhi. 7.5 Billion US Dollars total cost was estimated. And the project was to be started in 2009 and completed in 2013. 2775 km of 56 inches pipeline was to be laid down.
But due to the influence of USA, India has detached itself from IPI Pipeline.

IP Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline

After separation of India, now there are only two partners of the pipeline project, so it has been renamed as IP Iran-Pakistan Pipeline Project. Iran and Pakistan signed Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement on 06 June, 2009. Some of the key points of this agreement are:
Iran will supply 750 MMSCFD gas to Pakistan for 25 years.
The project was to be started in September 2009 and the target date for completion is June 2014.
Route for Iran Pakistan Pipelines will be Iran-Gwadar-Bhong.
The total length of the IP Pipeline is 2100 kilometers. Iran has completed its 1100 km pipeline and Pakistan has yet to start.
The diameter of the pipeline has been reduced to 42 inches. Pakistan has to spend an amount of approximately 3.5 Billion Dollars. Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited Pakistan, Sui Southern Gas Company Limited Pakistan, The National Iranian Gas Company Iran and Khatam al Anbia Company Iran are responsible for the erection of pipeline.
250% increase in gas consumption in Pakistan is expected. Iran has to support its week economy and Pakistan is in need of natural gas.

History of IPI Pipeline

Lt. Colonel Malik Aftab Ahmed Khan, a Civil Engineer of Military College of Engineering, Risalpur conceived this idea in 1950. He named it the “Persian Pipeline”. Ex. Foreign Minister of Iran Ali Shams Ardekani and Rajendra Pachauri DG of TATA Energy Research Institute discussed this concept. In 1993 an MOU was signed between India and Iran. But after the participation of Pakistan in 1994, the project became feasible.  

USA Role in IPI Pipeline

The USA has sanctioned ban on Iran under Iran/Libya Sanction Act 1996. USA has been succeeded to detach India from IPI Pipeline. The USA has proposed an alternative gas supply to South Asia from Central Asia; this project is called TAPI Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Pipelines.

Russian and Chinese Role in IPI Pipeline

Russian, Iran and Pakistan want a multi-polarity system in the world. Europe depends on Russia for its 41% gas requirements.
China is already considering an oil pipeline from the Middle East to West China through the shortest route from Pakistan. China has played a key role in the development of Iranian South Pars Oil Field. If China becomes a partner of this pipeline project then financing will become a “Non Issue” for Pakistan and Pakistan will also earn revenue from the transit of gas through its territory.

Iranian Electricity Transmission

Iran has also offered to build an electricity transmission line from Iran to Pakistan, India and China. Iran has also interested to supply electricity to Bangladesh.

Baluchistan and IP Pipeline Project

Peaceful Baluchistan is too much necessary for the successful completion and coming into operation of this project. BLA (Baluchistan Liberation Army) and other militant groups can be dangerous for it.
Trans-National Gas Pipeline will give strength to Pakistani Economy and Baluchistan Province will also be developed through this project. A Technical Institute and an Engineering University should be urgently built in Baluchistan and graduates from this institute and University should be employed in this project. And a comprehensive share from the income of this pipeline may also be used for the development of Baluchistan.

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