Iran ready for Pak-Turkmen gas swap, views TAPI plan as unlikely

Iran is ready to participate in a gas swap between Pakistan and Turkmenistan as it thinks that the ambitious, multi-billion dollar TAPI gas pipeline that includes India is unlikely to become operational, a top Iranian official has said.

The USD 10 billion TurkmenistanAfghanistanPakistanIndia (TAPI) gas pipeline project will help ease energy shortages in South Asia.

Hamid Reza Araqi, the CEO of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) expressed Iran's readiness to participate in the Turkmen gas swap to Pakistan.

"It is unlikely that the Turkmen gas pipeline to Pakistan will be constructed, and Iran is ready for this swap," Iranian news agency FARS quoted Araqi as saying.

"I see it unlikely for the TAPI pipeline to become operational," he said.

Given Iran's location in the centre of the region, "we can join every gas pipeline that passes around the country," he said.

Araqi, who is also the deputy petroleum minister for gas affairs, added that Iran is the best pathway for gas transmission from Turkmenistan to Pakistan, adding, "We are able to receive Turkmen gas and deliver it to Pakistan."