ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- A proposed multilateral gas pipeline for Central Asia is good for regional economic development, a U.S. official said at an energy conference in Turkmenistan.
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central Asia Susan Elliot spoke to delegates at that the Turkmenistan International Oil and Gas Conference on the benefits of energy projects in Central Asia.
She said the proposed Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India natural gas pipeline wouldn't only boost Afghan development but would secure gas reserves for growing economies in Pakistan and India.
"The road ahead is long for this project but the benefits could be tremendous and are certainly worthy of the diligence demonstrated by these four countries so far," she said.
The 1,043-mile natural gas pipeline could transport natural gas from the Dauletabad field in Turkmenistan, one of the world's largest. The Western-backed project is viewed as a rival to Iran's plans to transit natural gas from its South Pars gas field to Pakistan and India through the so-called Peace Pipeline.
Elliot said Washington was keen on working with Turkmenistan to ensure its energy sector reaches its full potential.
Apart from conventional energy, the deputy secretary said Washington wanted to explore alternative energy projects, "particularly Turkmenistan's largely untapped potential for solar and wind power."
