Iran deal fuels tussle for gas pipelines in Pakistan

[Albatross]

ISLAMABAD: A landmark deal on Iran’s nuclear programme has breathed new life into plans for a gas pipeline through Pakistan — and sparked a geopolitical tussle, with Russia looking to expand its influence, observers say.
With sanctions on Iran likely to ease and peace talks between the Taliban and Afghan government getting under way, wrangling is intensifying over the proposed pipelines, which would link Central Asia to the Middle East.
Islamabad last week hailed the nuclear deal, struck after long negotiations in Vienna, as reviving a stalled project to pipe gas from Iran’s southern fields to energy-starved Pakistan.
The South Asian state is desperate for solutions to a long-running power crisis that has sapped economic growth and left its 200 million inhabitants fuming over incessant electricity cuts.
The $7.5-billion Iran-Pakistan (IP) pipeline was inaugurated with great fanfare in March 2013 — but the project immediately hit quicksand in the form of international sanctions on Tehran, which meant cash-strapped Pakistan struggled to raise the money to build its side.
Read: Black gold: Pakistan should dig deeper after sanction lift on Iran
Pakistan’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the Vienna deal should allow Islamabad to make good on its agreement to finish the pipeline and buy Iranian gas.
“Now hopefully, as the sanctions are removed, it facilitates us to address our energy need and also meet the contractual obligation,” Abbasi told AFP.
Tehran has already built its part of the 1,800-kilometre pipeline which should eventually link its South Pars gasfields to the Pakistani city of Nawabshah, close to the economic capital Karachi.
As part of an ambitious $46 billion economic corridor linking western China to the Middle East through Pakistan, Beijing recently started work on the section of the pipeline between Nawabshah and the port of Gwadar, close to the Iranian border.
Once this is completed, Pakistan will build the last 80 kilometres to Iran — before the 2018 general election, the government hopes — and it could in future extend the connection northeast to China, according to government sources.
Russia is interested in supporting the IP pipeline through energy giant Gazprom, according to the Russian embassy in Islamabad.
Moscow has historically had closer relations with India, Pakistan’s neighbour and great rival, but is pivoting more to Islamabad as New Delhi and Washington become closer allies.
Yury Barmin, an analyst specialising in Russia’s Middle East policy, said that by using the IP pipeline to get closer to Pakistan, Moscow wanted to show India it had other options in the region.
“At the same time Russia really wants to explore commercial opportunities for its defence industry in the wider MENA (Middle East) region, and Pakistan is probably the only remaining untapped market for Moscow in that sense,” Barmin told AFP.
Islamabad and Moscow signed a defence cooperation agreement in November last year.
The two countries are also close to finalising an agreement to build a gas pipeline linking Karachi, which has an LNG terminal, to Lahore, said Mobin Saulat, the CEO of Inter State Gas Systems, the publicly-owned company in charge of gas pipelines in Pakistan.
Saulat told AFP these moves meant that the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline (TAPI), an even more ambitious project, would likely take a back seat for now.
“LNG is happening already, we have the supply in place, the happening of IP with the latest development is of course next. And TAPI, in the list, will come at the end,” he said.
TAPI, valued at up to $10 billion, would pump gas from Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India, through Afghanistan.
But it is politically complex, requiring cooperation between at least four governments, and logistically challenging, as the pipeline would pass through areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan plagued by Taliban and separatist insurgents.
The Taliban’s summer offensive is in full swing but there is hope for peace after militant and government representatives met for talks in Pakistan a fortnight ago.
Last September France’s Total was working to take the lead on TAPI, but the rise of Russian interest could change the field.
“They are talking to three companies, Total is number one and then a Russian and a Chinese company. Total definitely is the most advanced in the talks,” Pakistan oil minister Abbasi said, citing briefings from the TAPI steering committee.
Russian participation in TAPI would eventually allow Moscow to connect the pipeline to others in the former Soviet Union, Barmin noted.
But there could be more trouble ahead. The CEO of Rostec Sergey Chemezov, considered close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, is himself the subject of US sanctions over the Russian annexation of Crimea.


Iran deal fuels tussle for gas pipelines in Pakistan - The Express Tribune

 

[Albatross]

I feel it's high time Pakistan should form a competitive body to look after matters of pipelines transits through its territory and to get the construction, operation and management of such projects done timely and well planned ahead as its an opportunity which if availed rightly can let Pakistan on Path of self reliance and sufficiency.
But the catch here is to complete them in time and get all the parties onboard with clear terms and references to be followed strictly as long as Pakistan facilitates them and I hope our diplomats will make sure that Pakistan's benefits the most in all cases as this connectivity could not have been achieved with our consent.
Some people here relates Gwadar with Iranian chahbhar but in reality both have no comparison as one is a truly multinational port dedicated to Central Asian , Afghanistan and China as Pakistans twin ports in Karachi are enough to meet our demand.
Chahbhar may address indian concern to some extent as Iran will not allow india to operate the way she desires and will make sure Indian interests are purely economical. Besides Iran needs her only ocean port to be functional for her own exports/imports.
Gwadar is for all and Iran understands that why else are they so keen on investing billions in Gwadar
Iran to set up $4bn oil refinery in Gwadar - Pakistan - DAWN.COM
Its our time now and how well we play it today will determine the stature of our coming generations on global stage.

 

[Sipahi]

Energy is the backbone of industrialization and currently we are all short of energy for even households, These Pipeline projects will boast our economy instantly.

Further I always believe Russia can be more useful for us then US, however we have to keep all of them in our pocket to pace up things, everyone has something to offer.

Gwadar will be pivot for us in near future as Corridor project, not only china we will also connect to the silk road initiative so its a win win situation for both China and Pakistan, if we can include Russia somehow it will automatically a major boast to CPEC itself.

Where is the russian flag

 

[Albatross]

Energy is the backbone of industrialization and currently we are all short of energy for even households, These Pipeline projects will boast our economy instantly.

Further I always believe Russia can be more useful for us then US, however we have to keep all of them in our pocket to pace up things, everyone has something to offer.

Gwadar will be pivot for us in near future as Corridor project, not only china we will also connect to the silk road initiative so its a win win situation for both China and Pakistan, if we can include Russia somehow it will automatically a major boast to CPEC itself.

Where is the russian flag

It's been decades we have been hearing a lot about Gwadar and its potentials but now finally we can see some work on ground. All that matters now is its timely execution and any suggestions on how it can be made more effective as means of mass transit for oil, gas and containers are welcome as by just glorifying its potentials alone wont leave us with a world class transit facility.
Given the fact that Pakistan has been granted 200 Nm exclusive economical rights from her shoreline dumps all plans of some of our neighbors to build a sub sea pipeline . Now east-west and North-south everything has to pass through Pakistan and we need to plan it meticulously to serve our interests the most.

 

[Sipahi]

It's been decades we have been hearing a lot about Gwadar and its potentials but now finally we can see some work on ground. All that matters now is its timely execution and any suggestions on how it can be made more effective as means of mass transit for oil, gas and containers are welcome as by just glorifying its potentials alone wont leave us with a world class transit facility.
Given the fact that Pakistan has been granted 200 Nm exclusive economical rights from her shoreline dumps all plans of some of our neighbors to build a sub sea pipeline . Now east-west and North-south everything has to pass through Pakistan and we need to plan it meticulously to serve our interests the most.

Gwadar is overseeing by Army itself , so I am really not concerned with the pace. it will definitely complete sooner rather then later. security of that corridor was main concern by Chinese and all their reservations are being addressed and you can see that many Baloch insurgents are surrendering themselves and the peace in province is tangible. More Improvement needed.

The 2nd thing you mentioned ruined India-Qatar Pipeline project..... Allah always blessed and blessing us with great chances but our political elite is the real setback. their is no think tank or body addressing that issue. Pakistan needs to plan carefully so it can server our economical and strategic interest in a real profitable manners.

 

[Maler]

Gwadar is overseeing by Army itself , so I am really not concerned with the pace. it will definitely complete sooner rather then later. security of that corridor was main concern by Chinese and all their reservations are being addressed and you can see that many Baloch insurgents are surrendering themselves and the peace in province is tangible. More Improvement needed.

The 2nd thing you mentioned ruined India-Qatar Pipeline project..... Allah always blessed and blessing us with great chances but our political elite is the real setback. their is no think tank or body addressing that issue. Pakistan needs to plan carefully so it can server our economical and strategic interest in a real profitable manners.

Pakistan don't have sovereign rights over 'Allah's Blessings'!!

On serious note, Pakistan can do NADA..ZILCH to interrupt any India-Qatar gas pipeline plan, if there is one. Under International marine laws, India/Qatar are allowed to do so.

 

[Sipahi]

Pakistan don't have sovereign rights over 'Allah's Blessings'!!

On serious note, Pakistan can do NADA..ZILCH to interrupt any India-Qatar gas pipeline plan, if there is one. Under International marine laws, India/Qatar are allowed to do so.

Pakistan seabed territory grows by 50,000 square kilometres
Baqir Sajjad Syed — Updated Mar 21, 2015 11:16am

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s seabed territory grew by about 50,000 square kilometres after a UN body accepted Islamabad’s claim for extension of sea limits.

“On 19 March 2015, United Nations’ Commission on Limits of Continental Shelf (UNCLCS) completed its review and accepted Pakistan’s claim for extension of its continental shelf limits, thereby extending Pakistan’s sea limits from 200 nautical miles to 350 nautical miles,” Pakistan Navy’s media directorate said.

Following the acceptance of the claim, Pakistan’s offshore territory of 240,000sqkm would expand by another 50,000sqkm allowing the country to benefit from the natural resources contained in it.

The UN verdict will boost Pak efforts aimed at socioeconomic uplift of people, says Sartaj
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) grants special rights to the coastal states with regards to exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production in the area in its jurisdiction, which is also described as exclusive economic zone.

Also read: Advancing sea poses threat to Karachi, Thatta, committee told

Under the UNCLOS, coastal countries are allowed economic control of the waters and seabed up to 200nm from their shores. The international treaty allows countries to further claim an extended continental shelf stretching up to 350nm from the baselines of its territorial sea if they could prove that the claimed area was a natural prolongation of their land territory.

Pakistan welcomed the UN commission’s verdict, terming it a “landmark achievement and a momentous event in the country’s history”.

Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz in a statement said: “It is of great satisfaction for us that Pakistan’s claim at the United Nations’ Commission on Limits of Continental Shelf, for extension of outer limits of its continental shelf, has been unanimously approved.”

This development, he said, would boost Pakistan’s efforts aimed at sustainable socioeconomic uplift of the people of Pakistan.

Article 76(4) to (6) of the UNCLOS prescribes a complicated formula for claiming such an extension. The claimant state has to present legal and scientific basis for its claim before a 21-member commission of experts. The evidence is accompanied by maps to prove that the claimed continental shelf is extension of its territory and fits the description given under Law of Sea Treaty of 1982.

Pakistan had filed its case with the UNCLCS on April 30, 2009. The application was preceded by a four-year extensive study jointly conducted by the Pakistan Navy and National Institute of Oceanography under the patronage of Ministry of Science and Technology.

A seven-member sub-commission of the UNCLCS evaluated Pakistan’s case for a year and accepted Pakistan’s claim.

Some of the claimed territory overlapped Omani claim. It is believed that the verdict in favour of Pakistan was announced after successful negotiations with Oman.

Mr Aziz in his statement thanked the government of Oman.

“We are thankful to the brotherly country of Oman for its understanding and cooperation in the matter,” the adviser said.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2015


I hope your query has been addressed in this article

 

[Maler]

Pakistan seabed territory grows by 50,000 square kilometres
Baqir Sajjad Syed — Updated Mar 21, 2015 11:16am

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s seabed territory grew by about 50,000 square kilometres after a UN body accepted Islamabad’s claim for extension of sea limits.

“On 19 March 2015, United Nations’ Commission on Limits of Continental Shelf (UNCLCS) completed its review and accepted Pakistan’s claim for extension of its continental shelf limits, thereby extending Pakistan’s sea limits from 200 nautical miles to 350 nautical miles,” Pakistan Navy’s media directorate said.

Following the acceptance of the claim, Pakistan’s offshore territory of 240,000sqkm would expand by another 50,000sqkm allowing the country to benefit from the natural resources contained in it.

The UN verdict will boost Pak efforts aimed at socioeconomic uplift of people, says Sartaj
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) grants special rights to the coastal states with regards to exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production in the area in its jurisdiction, which is also described as exclusive economic zone.

Also read: Advancing sea poses threat to Karachi, Thatta, committee told

Under the UNCLOS, coastal countries are allowed economic control of the waters and seabed up to 200nm from their shores. The international treaty allows countries to further claim an extended continental shelf stretching up to 350nm from the baselines of its territorial sea if they could prove that the claimed area was a natural prolongation of their land territory.

Pakistan welcomed the UN commission’s verdict, terming it a “landmark achievement and a momentous event in the country’s history”.

Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz in a statement said: “It is of great satisfaction for us that Pakistan’s claim at the United Nations’ Commission on Limits of Continental Shelf, for extension of outer limits of its continental shelf, has been unanimously approved.”

This development, he said, would boost Pakistan’s efforts aimed at sustainable socioeconomic uplift of the people of Pakistan.

Article 76(4) to (6) of the UNCLOS prescribes a complicated formula for claiming such an extension. The claimant state has to present legal and scientific basis for its claim before a 21-member commission of experts. The evidence is accompanied by maps to prove that the claimed continental shelf is extension of its territory and fits the description given under Law of Sea Treaty of 1982.

Pakistan had filed its case with the UNCLCS on April 30, 2009. The application was preceded by a four-year extensive study jointly conducted by the Pakistan Navy and National Institute of Oceanography under the patronage of Ministry of Science and Technology.

A seven-member sub-commission of the UNCLCS evaluated Pakistan’s case for a year and accepted Pakistan’s claim.

Some of the claimed territory overlapped Omani claim. It is believed that the verdict in favour of Pakistan was announced after successful negotiations with Oman.

Mr Aziz in his statement thanked the government of Oman.

“We are thankful to the brotherly country of Oman for its understanding and cooperation in the matter,” the adviser said.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2015


I hope your query has been addressed in this article

and where it is indicated that India can't built India-Qatar gas pipeline???? Suggest you to read The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

 

[Sipahi]

and where it is indicated that India can't built India-Qatar gas pipeline???? Suggest you to read The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

So why don't you give it a try

these are now pakistani waters ...... ghooom kr jao jahan jana hai

 

[Jaanbaz]

So why don't you give it a try

these are now pakistani waters ...... ghooom kr jao jahan jana hai

dosra rasta sirk aik he reh gaya hay, saray 1 billions Indian sea side par straw laga kar Arabian ocean ka pani pee jay to phir shaihd gas pipe line ban sakti hay.

 

[Maler]

So why don't you give it a try

these are now pakistani waters ...... ghooom kr jao jahan jana hai

I did give it a try and thats why suggested you to give it a try!!!

 

[Sipahi]

I did give it a try and thats why suggested you to give it a try!!!

your pipeline route