Gazprom looks to lay down gas pipeline from Iran to India

Pakistan broke unexpected news yesterday, the Vremya Novostei newspaper writes today. On August 5 the Islamabad mass media reported that the Oil and Natural Resources Ministry of Pakistan forwarded to the government Gazprom's proposal to construct a gas pipeline from Iran to India. This project provides for the laying out of pipes through the territorial waters of Pakistan. Gazprom officials declined to give any comments but analysts believe that the Russian oil giant entered the competition for the most promising gas market. So far Gazprom only wants to conduct research but the further development of this project will hinge on the successful completion of the initial stage. In this event, the Russian gas producer will face two competitors - the Australian-based BHP Petroleum offers to construct an overland pipeline worth about $3bn from Iran to India via Pakistan, and one Italian firm is also considering the feasibility of stretching a sub-sea gas pipeline on the bottom of the Arabian Sea.

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