QazaqGaz in talks on joining TAPI gas pipeline project - Kazakh Energy Ministry

ASTANA. Jan 27 (Interfax) - QazaqGaz is in talks to join the project to build the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry told Interfax.

"Negotiations are underway between QazaqGaz and [Turkmenistan's] state company Turkmengaz. As the participants in the negotiations are not allowed to disclose the information to third parties, no further details can be provided," the ministry said.

Turkmengaz is the majority shareholder with 85% of project operator TAPI Pipeline Company.

Kazakh Deputy Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhanov said in October 2024 at the Kazakhstan-Afghanistan business forum in Almaty that Kazakhstan was in talks to participate in the construction of the TAPI gas pipeline. "If a Kazakh company joins, it would create new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the gas sector," he said.

The TAPI pipeline will be 1,814 km long, with 214 km in Turkmenistan, 774 km in Afghanistan, and 826 km in Pakistan. It is designed to transport 33 billion cubic meters of gas annually, originating from the Galkynysh field in southern Turkmenistan and passing through Afghan cities like Herat and Kandahar, as well as Pakistan's Quetta and Multan, to Fazilka in India.

The project is managed by the TAPI Pipeline Company Limited consortium, in which Turkmengaz holds an 85% stake, while the Afghan Gas Corporation, Pakistan's Interstate Gas Systems, and India's GAIL each own 5%.

The estimated total cost of the pipeline is $10 billion.