Asian Development Bank backs TAP pipeline

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan pipeline is a viable project despite full certifications of reserves from Turkmenistan, the Asian Development Bank said.

The Asian Development Bank said in a technical report on the TAP gas pipeline from the Dauletabad field in Turkmenistan that the project is feasible. Turkmenistan, however, has not completed its full evaluation and certification of the field, the Pakistani daily, The News International said Friday.

The 1,040-mile pipeline will bring around 700 billion cubic feet of natural gas to customers in Pakistan and Afghanistan, with the possibility to supply India as well.

The ADB said it considered the preliminary route and design parameters as feasible. The ADB technical report also produced initial environmental and social impacts of the route and prepared an economic analysis of the project.

The United States is backing the pipeline project as an alternative to the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline from the South Pars gas field in Iran. Washington opposes any economic incentives for Tehran due to its controversial nuclear program.