GAIL India Unlikely to Put More than 10% Equity in TAPI Pipeline

India is unlikely to take more than 10 percent stake in Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project considering the associated with the project, reported Press Trust of India Monday.

“Turkmenistan’s state-owned TurkmenGaz will be the leader of the consortium and will take a minimum 51% stake. India will be represented by (state gas utility) GAIL India,” a senior government official said.

TurkmenGaz was selected as the TAPI pipeline consortium leader in August.

According to the official, GAIL is willing to put in 10 percent equity as the company feels the project has inherent security and geo-political risks as it passes through some of the world’s most dangerous places.

The 1,800-kilometer TAPI natural gas pipeline will export up to 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India over 30 years.