The US has welcomed the decision of establishing the ambitious TAPI gas pipeline project, a joint venture company for the transportation of up to 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. « The United States government welcomes the establishment of TAPI Ltd. and the ongoing commitment all four Turkmenistan- Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) countries have made to the project, » a State Department official said. The project, if realised, would further diversify Turkmenistan’s energy market options, provide revenue and jobs for Afghanistan at a crucial time in its economic development, and bring clean fuel to the growing economies of Pakistan and India, the official said. The US also stressed on the need for the four countries to engage an international energy company in the successful completion of the project. « It will be important for the parties to engage an international energy company in the project, which can work in cooperation with Turkmengaz in the development of the gas supply and serve as commercial champion for the project, » the official said. « The United States continues to support TAPI, which we see as an important component of our New Silk Road initiative that seeks to link South and Central Asia, » the official said. When completed, TAPI gas pipeline project will supply 15 billion cubic meter of gas to India from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and Pakistan. It will export up to 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India over 30 years. The total length of the pipeline will reach 1,735 kilometres. Some 200 kilometres of which will run through Turkmenistan, 735 kilometres through Afghanistan, 800 kilometres through Pakistan to the settlement of Fazilka, located on the border with India.
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