Karachi: Gazprom, a Russian firm, has announced its decision to conduct a feasibility study during the first quarter of 2020 in an effort to lay down an underwater gas pipeline extending from the Persian Gulf to China — and passing through Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand, according to news sources. Depending on the study’s (positive) assessment, the company is thereafter expected to provide Pakistan with one billion cubic feet per day (1bcfd) of gas as part of the latter’s share in the pipeline project.
The pipeline will run through the shallow waters of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. Under the agreement, all these countries will also get a share of gas supply. The project will cost approximately USD 20 to USD 25 billion dollars.
Every partner country will also provide the transit fee to Pakistan and the national naval forces will see to the security and monitoring of the pipeline. A Russia-Pakistan economic corridor will also be established and Russia will invest in fibre optic link, road and power infrastructure project as ancillary facilities.
The company will initiate the feasibility study in the first three months of 2020 and will be completed in one year. If launched, the project will take up to 3-4 years for completion.
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