Turkmenistan takes TAPI on the road

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, July 30 (UPI) -- Turkmenistan will present the economic prospects of a planned natural gas pipeline to India in a road show through October, the government said.

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said the planned Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India natural gas pipeline would ensure the safe delivery of more than 1 trillion cubic feet of Turkmen natural gas to downstream consumers.

"This will help the economic growth of the TAPI participant states and, more importantly, will contribute to regional peace, stability and security," he was quoted by Pakistani newspaper The News International as saying.

Ashgabat aims to expand its natural gas export capacity under the terms of a developmental program governing the energy sector through 2030. Pakistan and India signed gas sales and purchase agreements with Turkmenistan in May. Security concerns in Afghanistan, however, are lingering TAPI concerns.

The road show begins in September and will see Turkmen officials travel to Singapore, New York and London.

The U.S. Energy Department's Energy Information Administration estimates Turkmenistan has proven natural gas reserves of roughly 265 trillion cubic feet, placing it among the world leaders.