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{{Short description|Gas pipeline}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox pipeline
| name = Iran–Pakistan gas pipeline
| type = [[Natural gas]]
| photo =
| caption =
| map =
| map_caption =
| country = {{flag|Iran}} {{PAK}}
| state =
| province =
| coordinates =
| lat =
| long =
| direction =Iran to Pakistan:[[West]]–[[East]] Within Pakistan:[[South]]–[[North]]
| start = [[Asalouyeh]], [[Bushehr Province|Bushehr]], [[Iran]]
| through = [[Bandar-Abbas]] [[Iranshahr (city)|Iranshahr]] [[Khuzdar]] [[Sui (Balochistan)|Sui]]
| finish = [[Multan]], [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], [[Pakistan]]
| par =
| owner =
| partners = [[National Iranian Oil Company|National Iranian Oil Co.]] [[Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited|Sui Northern Gas Pipelines]] [[Sui Southern Gas Company|Sui Southern Gas Pipelines.]] [[Gazprom|Gazprom JSC]]
| operator =
| technical_service_provider=
| contractors =
| construction=
| expected = December 2017<ref name = nsharif.>{{cite web|last=Bhutta|first=Zafar|title=Annual plan 2013–14: Govt will not scrap Iran gas pipeline project|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/562558/annual-plan-2013-14-govt-will-not-scrap-iran-gas-pipeline-project/|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=1 July 2013|date=13 June 2013}}</ref>
| est =
| decom =
| length_km = 2,775
| discharge = {{convert|40|e9m3}} per year
| diameter_in = 56
| compressor_stations_no=
| compressor_stations=
}}

The '''Iran–Pakistan gas pipeline''', also known as the '''Peace pipeline''', or '''IP Gas''',<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/the-peace-pipeline | title=The 'peace pipeline' | newspaper = [[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]] | date=28 May 2009 | access-date=17 April 2013}}</ref> is an under-construction {{convert|2775|km|adj=on}} [[pipeline transport|pipeline]] to deliver [[natural gas]] from [[Iran]] to [[Pakistan]].

== History ==

===Inception===
The idea was conceived by a young Pakistani civil engineer Malik Aftab Ahmed Khan (Sitara e Jurat), a graduate of NED University, in mid-1950, when an article of his was published by the Military College of Engineering, Risalpur, Pakistan. The article ''Persian Pipeline'' also mentioned the method for its protection along the hostile territory by establishing mini battalion-size cantonments along its proposed route through Balochistan/Sindh.<ref name=pt251111>
{{cite news
|url= http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2011/11/iran-pakistan-gas-pipeline-traversing-history/
|title= Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline traversing history
|newspaper = Pakistan Today
|first = Kunwar khuldune |last = Shahid
|date=25 November 2011
|access-date=26 November 2011}}
</ref><ref name=noor>{{cite journal
|url = http://ipripak.org/factfiles/ff124.pdf
|title = Iran-Pakistan Peace Pipeline. IPRI Factfile
|publisher = Islamabad Policy Research Institute
|first = Noor
|last = ul Haq
|date = 31 July 2010
|access-date = 20 November 2011
|archive-date = 11 June 2014
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140611074427/http://ipripak.org/factfiles/ff124.pdf
|url-status = dead
}}</ref> The project was conceptualized in 1989 by [[Rajendra K. Pachauri]] in partnership with Ali Shams Ardekani and Sarwar Shar, former Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran. Pachauri proposed the plan to both Iranian and Indian governments. The government of Iran responded positively to the proposal. At the 2012 annual conference of the [[International Association of Energy Economics]], Ardekani backed Pachauri's proposal.<ref name=noor/>

===Timeline===
Discussions between the governments of Iran and Pakistan started in 1995.<ref name=downstream1>
{{cite news
|url=http://www.downstreamtoday.com/news/article.aspx?a_id=10718
|title=IPI Implementation Nearing 'Final Stage' – Pakistani Official
|publisher=Downstream Today
|agency=[[Xinhua News Agency]]
|date=8 May 2008
|access-date=10 May 2008}}
</ref> A preliminary agreement was signed in 1995. This agreement foresaw construction of a pipeline from [[South Pars / North Dome Gas-Condensate field|South Pars gas field]] to [[Karachi]] in Pakistan. Later Iran made a proposal to extend the pipeline from Pakistan into India. In February 1999, a preliminary agreement between Iran and India was signed.<ref name=chaudhary>
{{cite web
|url= http://www.american.edu/TED/iranpipeline.htm
|title= Iran to India Natural Gas Pipeline: Implications for Conflict Resolution & Regionalism in India, Iran, and Pakistan
|publisher= [[School of International Service]]
|first= Shamila N. |last = Chaudhary
|access-date=20 March 2010}}
</ref>

In 2004 the project was revived after the [[United Nations Development Programme|UNDP]]'s report ''Peace and Prosperity Gas Pipelines'' by Pakistani [[petroleum engineer]], Gulfaraz Ahmed, was published in December 2003. The report highlighted benefits of the pipeline to Pakistan, India and Iran.<ref>{{cite web|title='Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project is a lifeline for Pakistan's economy,' Dr Gulfaraz Ahmed, Energy Expert|url=http://www.brecorder.com/brief-recordings/0/1204543/|work=Business Recorder|access-date=1 July 2013|archive-date=18 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718060854/http://www.brecorder.com/brief-recordings/0/1204543|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In February 2007, India and Pakistan agreed to pay Iran US$4.93 per million British thermal units (US$4.67/GJ) but some details relating to price adjustment remained open to further negotiation.<ref name=irandaily1>
{{cite news
|url=http://iran-daily.com/1386/2880/html/economy.htm#s238905
|title=Peace Pipeline Contract Soon, Gas Flow by 2011
|newspaper=Iran Daily
|date=1 July 2007
|access-date=10 May 2008
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080506083012/http://iran-daily.com/1386/2880/html/economy.htm#s238905
|archive-date = 6 May 2008}}
</ref>

In April 2008, Iran expressed interest in the People's Republic of China's participation in the project.<ref name=downstream3>
{{cite news
|url= http://www.downstreamtoday.com/news/article.aspx?a_id=10460
|title=Ahmadinehjad Would Welcome Chinese Role in Gas Pipeline
|publisher=Downstream Today
|agency=[[Xinhua News Agency]]
|date=28 April 2008
|access-date=10 May 2008}}
</ref> In August 2010, Iran invited [[Bangladesh]] to join the project.<ref name=fe150810>
{{cite news
|url= http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=109098&date=2010-08-15
|title= Iran invites Bangladesh to join cross-border gas grid
|first = Humayan | last = Kabir
|newspaper=[[Financial Express (Bangladesh)|The Financial Express]]
|date=15 August 2010
|access-date=20 November 2011}}
</ref>

In 2009, India withdrew from the project over pricing and security issues, and after signing a civilian nuclear deal with the United States in 2008.<ref name=reuters170310/><ref name=upi190310a>
{{cite news
|url= http://www.upi.com/Science_News/Resource-Wars/2010/03/19/Pakistan-gas-pipeline-is-Irans-lifeline/UPI-27741269029633/
|title=Pakistan gas pipeline is Iran's lifeline
|agency=[[United Press International|UPI]]
|date=19 March 2010
|access-date=20 March 2010}}
</ref> However, in March 2010 India called on Pakistan and Iran for trilateral talks to be held in May 2010 in [[Tehran]].<ref name=upi190310b>
{{cite news
|url= http://www.upi.com/Science_News/Resource-Wars/2010/03/19/New-Delhi-calls-for-IPI-talks/UPI-15881269006235/
|title= New Delhi calls for IPI talks
|agency=[[United Press International|UPI]]
|date=19 March 2010
|access-date=20 March 2010}}
</ref>

On 4 September 2012, the project was announced to commence before October 2012 and be completed by December 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Iranian gas will start flowing from December 2014: Dr Asim Hussain |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/430894/iranian-gas-will-start-flowing-from-december-2014-dr-asim-hussain/ |newspaper= [[The Express Tribune]] |date= 4 September 2012 |access-date=4 September 2012}}</ref>

On 30 January 2013, the Pakistan's federal government approved a deal with Iran for laying the Pakistan's segment of a pipeline.<ref name=naturalgasasia3101013>
{{cite news
|url= http://www.naturalgasasia.com/pakistan-ratifies-iran-pakistan-pipeline-agreement
|title= Pakistan Ratifies Iran-Pakistan Pipeline Agreement
|date=31 January 2013
|access-date=2 February 2013}}
</ref> On 27 February 2013, the construction of the Pakistani section was agreed.<ref>{{cite news
|url= http://www.naturalgasasia.com/pakistan-ratifies-iran-pakistan-pipeline-agreement
|title= Pakistan Ratifies Iran-Pakistan Pipeline Agreement
|date=27 February 2013
|access-date=28 February 2013}}
</ref><ref>{{cite news
|url= http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-21263-Pakistan-Iran-agree-to-complete-gas-pipeline-in-15-months
|title= Pakistan, Iran agree to complete gas pipeline in 15 months
|date=28 February 2013
|access-date=28 February 2013}}
</ref> On 11 March 2013, the construction work on the Pakistani section of the pipeline was inaugurated by [[president of Pakistan]] [[Asif Ali Zardari]] and [[president of Iran]] [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]].<ref>
{{cite news
|title=Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline defies US
|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21736725
|publisher = [[BBC News]]
|date= 11 March 2013
|access-date=11 March 2013}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite news
|title=Zardari, Ahmedinijad inaugurate Pak-Iran gas pipeline project
|url=http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/national/11-Mar-2013/zardari-ahmedinijad-inaugurate-pak-iran-gas-pipeline-project
|newspaper = [[The Nation (Pakistan)|The Nation]]
|date= 11 March 2013
|access-date=11 March 2013}}
</ref><ref>{{cite news
|title=Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline inaugurated defying US opposition
|url=http://www.euronews.com/2013/03/11/pakistan-iran-gas-pipeline-inaugurated-defying-us-opposition/
|work=[[Euronews]]
|date=11 March 2013
|access-date=11 March 2013
|archive-date=26 September 2020
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926224158/https://www.euronews.com/2013/03/11/pakistan-iran-gas-pipeline-inaugurated-defying-us-opposition
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> According with Javad Owji, managing director of the [[National Iranian Gas Company]], the pipeline in Pakistan is expected to be constructed in 22 months with the participation of Iran.<ref>{{cite news
|url= http://www.tehrantimes.com/economy-and-business/106028-iran-to-complete-gas-line-to-pakistan-in-22-months-official
|title= Iran to complete gas line to Pakistan in 22 months: Official
|date= 27 February 2013
|access-date= 28 February 2013
|archive-date= 21 May 2013
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130521124836/http://tehrantimes.com/economy-and-business/106028-iran-to-complete-gas-line-to-pakistan-in-22-months-official
|url-status= dead
}}</ref>

On 27 May 2013, Iranian deputy minister for petroleum, A. Khaledi, in a letter to the [[Pakistan]] government expressed concern over the delay in the start of the Pakistani portion of the pipeline. He said that after a government-to-government agreement between the two countries, they were supposed to select entities for the construction of the latter part of the pipeline. Pakistan still hasn't officially nominated Tadbir Energy and local sub-contractors to begin work on the Pakistani half of the pipeline.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bhutta|first=Zafar|title=Iran upset about slow progress on gas pipeline|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/561464/iran-upset-about-slow-progress-on-gas-pipeline/|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=1 July 2013|date=10 June 2013}}</ref>

On 12 June 2013, the newly elected prime minister of [[Pakistan]], [[Nawaz Sharif]], allayed any fears regarding the abandonment of the project and said that the Pakistani government is committed to the fulfillment of the project and targets the first flow of gas from the pipeline in December 2014. The premier also stated that his government is planning to commit to the [[Trans-Afghanistan pipeline|Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline]] project as well.<ref name = nsharif. />

On 28 November 2013, a 'friendly' country anonymously offers $1 billion to help fund the pipeline. <ref group=tribune.com.pk>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/638053/anonymous-donor-friendly-country-offers-1b-for-iran-pakistan-pipeline-business/|title=Anonymous donor: 'Friendly' country offers $1b for Iran-Pakistan pipeline|date=28 November 2013}}</ref>

On 10-November-2013, a meeting between [[Pakistan]] [[Federal Minister of Pakistan|Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources]] [[Shahid Khaqan Abbasi]] and Iranian Minister of Petroleum [[Bijan Namdar Zangeneh]] held at the Ministry of Petroleum at [[Tehran]]. The Pakistani Officials assured their Iranian counterparts that project would continue despite "external pressure".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1061696/pakistan-to-push-forward-gas-project-with-iran|title=Pakistan to push forward gas project with Iran|author=Agencies|access-date=18 May 2016|date=10 December 2013}}</ref>

On 25-Feb-2014, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Pakistan, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi told the [[National Assembly (Pakistan)|National Assembly]] that the project for the moment is off the table, he cited [[International sanctions against Iran|international sanctions]] as the issue, he said " In the absence of international sanctions the project can be completed within three years, but the government cannot take it any further at the moment because international sanctions against Iran are a serious issue". Pakistan will face the penalty if it failed to lay its side of pipeline till December 2014. Analysts however points at [[Saudi Arabia]]'s pressure to not to carry out the project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1089254/iran-gas-project-off-the-table-minister|title=Iran gas project off the table: minister|author=The Newspaper's Staff Reporter|access-date=18 May 2016|date=25 February 2014}}</ref>

Iran plans to abandon this pipeline project, as per April 2014 news article.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13930120001240|title=Farsnews|access-date=18 May 2016|archive-date=8 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508103422/http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13930120001240|url-status=dead}}</ref>

During the state visit of [[Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif]] to [[Iran]] in May 2014, both the government stated to remain committed on the completion of the pipeline and also agreed to extend the completion date by one year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1105688|title=Pakistan, Iran to go ahead with gas project|author=AFP – APP|access-date=18 May 2016|date=12 May 2014}}</ref> However, on 30 May 2014, [[Isna News Agency|ISNA news agency]] quoted Iranian Deputy Oil Minister for International and Trade Affairs Ali Majedi as claiming that the deadline has not been extended as no such agreement was signed during Nawaz Sharif's visit and the deadline to complete is still December, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nation.com.pk/national/31-May-2014/iran-denies-claims-regarding-completion-date-of-iran-pakistan-gas-pipeline|title=Iran denies claims regarding completion date of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline|date=31 May 2014|work=The Nation|access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref>

During the year 2017, India is planning to disassociate from this pipeline project and working on cheaper independent under sea pipe line directly from Iran.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/oil-and-gas/undersea-pipeline-from-iran-can-bring-cheaper-gas-to-india-tnr-rao/60379977| title=Undersea pipeline from Iran can bring cheaper gas to India: TNR Rao| access-date=7 September 2017}}</ref>

As of early 2019, the project remains substantially delayed. While the Iranian section of the pipeline has been completed, the Pakistani section remains under construction and subject to renewed delays thanks to concerns about the US sanctions regime<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1454952|title=IP gas project in limbo: Pakistan wants Iran to interpret sanctions|last=Hasnain|first=Khalid|date=2019-01-02|work=Dawn|location=Pakistan|language=en|access-date=2019-05-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eurasiantimes.com/islamabad-keen-to-complete-super-delayed-iran-pakistan-gas-pipeline/|title=Islamabad Keen To Complete ''Super-Delayed' Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline|last=Times|first=EurAsian|date=2019-05-08|website=EurAsian Times: Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-11}}</ref>

====Controversies====
In January 2010, the United States asked Pakistan to abandon the pipeline project. If canceling the project, Pakistan would receive assistance from the United States for construction of a liquefied natural gas terminal and importing electricity from [[Tajikistan]] through [[Afghanistan]]'s [[Wakhan Corridor]].<ref name=thaindian140110>{{cite news
|url= http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/us-asks-pak-to-pull-out-of-iran-gas-pipeline-project-to-qualify-for-extensive-assistance_100303715.html
|title= US asks Pak to pull out of Iran gas pipeline project to qualify for extensive assistance
|date= 14 January 2010
|work= Thaindian News
|agency= [[Asian News International|ANI]]
|access-date= 20 March 2010
|archive-date= 4 March 2016
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112916/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/us-asks-pak-to-pull-out-of-iran-gas-pipeline-project-to-qualify-for-extensive-assistance_100303715.html
|url-status= dead
}}</ref> However, on 16 March 2010 in [[Ankara]], Iran and Pakistan signed an agreement on the pipeline.<ref name=reuters170310>
{{cite news
|url= http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62G12C20100317
|title= Pakistan, Iran sign deal on natural gas pipeline
|first= Zeeshan | last = Haider
|date= 17 March 2010
|work= [[Reuters]]
|access-date=20 March 2010}}
</ref> According to the agreement each country must complete its section by 2014.<ref name="bloomberg290312">
{{Cite news
|url= https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-29/pakistan-sending-team-to-russia-to-seek-iran-gas-pipeline-help.html
|title= Pakistan Seeks Russia's Help to Finance Iran Gas Pipeline
|author= Anwar, Haris
|date=29 March 2012
|work= [[Bloomberg News]]
|access-date=16 April 2012}}
</ref> In July 2011, Iran announced that it has completed construction of its section.<ref name=dt141111>
{{cite news
|url= http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\11\14\story_14-11-2011_pg7_7
|title=Pakistan to renegotiate price formula with Iran
|first = Zeeshan |last = Javaid
|date= 14 November 2011
|newspaper = [[Daily Times (Pakistan)|Daily Times]]
|access-date=20 November 2011}}
</ref> If Pakistan does not fulfill its obligation to complete the pipeline on its side by the end of 2014, it will have to pay a daily penalty of $1 million to Iran until completion.<ref name="pt070612">
{{Cite news
|url= http://paktribune.com/news/Russia-to-help-Pakistan-build-IP-gas-pipeline-248932.html
|title= Russia to help Pakistan build IP gas pipeline
|date=7 April 2012
|newspaper= [[PakTribune]]
|access-date=16 April 2012}}
</ref> On 13 March 2012 Pakistan's ministry of finance announced that private investors were showing diminished interest and that the government might have to impose a tax on consumers, or seek government-to-government arrangements with Iran, China and Russia to build the pipeline. On 29 March it was reported that officials from Pakistan's petroleum ministry would travel to Russia in early April for talks with [[Gazprom]].<ref name="bloomberg290312"/> Then, in a 7 April article the Pakistani daily ''[[PakTribune]]'' reported that Gazprom would both finance and construct the pipeline. This would require setting aside the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority rules which require international bidding for such a large project. The [[Economic Coordination Committee]] would be asked in its next meeting to give such permission. The article also informed that the reason the private consortium no longer would contribute to the project was US opposition.<ref name="pt070612"/>

On 15 April 2012, it was reported through unnamed diplomatic sources in [[Islamabad]] that [[Saudi Arabia]] was offering to deliver an "alternative package" to Pakistan if the country abandoned its cooperation with Iran. In addition to oil the package would also include a cash loan and oil facility. The news came in connection with a visit to Pakistan by the Saudi deputy foreign minister.<ref name="Dawn150412">
{{Cite news
|url= http://dawn.com/2012/04/15/iran-gas-pipeline-saudi-offer/
|title= Iran gas pipeline: Saudi offer
|date=15 April 2012
|work= [[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|location=Pakistan
|access-date=16 April 2012}}
</ref>

On 1 May 2012, it was reported that Pakistan's foreign minister, [[Hina Rabbani Khar]] had said that Islamabad will not give in to US pressures to mothball the project and will finish the huge pipeline project "at any cost" and that the project was in line with the country's national interest.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

On 29 January 2013, US consul general [[Michael Dodman]] threatened Pakistan with economical sanctions if it does not abandon the project.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-20587-US-warns-Pakistan-of-sanctions-over-Iran-gas-pipeline-deal|title=US warns Pakistan of sanctions over Iran gas pipeline deal|date=29 January 2013|access-date=29 January 2013}}</ref>

In late October 2013, Sustainable Policy Development Institute published a report in which the proposed pipeline was termed as "death sentence" for Pakistan. Since the prices in the contract are linked to crude oil prices, the government "blatantly ignored the energy dynamics and its pricing while going for this deal". The gas sold to Pakistan will be higher priced than the current domestic prices of gas in the country.<ref name="sdpi.org">http://sdpi.org/publications/files/IP-Report.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>

== Route ==
The length of the pipeline that will be supplied from the South Pars field has been given variously as {{convert|560|mi|km|order=flip}},<ref name=reuters170310/> {{convert|643|mi|km|order=flip}},<ref name=upi190310a/> and {{convert|2775|km}}.<ref name=agenceindiapress060909>{{cite news
|url= http://www.agenceindiapress.com/2009/09/india-has-quit-iran-gas-pipeline-deal/
|title= India has quit Iran gas pipeline deal
|publisher= [[Agence India Press]]
|date= 6 September 2009
|access-date= 2 May 2012
|archive-date= 5 March 2016
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160305054854/http://agenceindiapress.com/2009/09/india-has-quit-iran-gas-pipeline-deal
|url-status= dead
}}</ref> It starts from [[Asalouyeh]] and stretches {{convert|1172|km}} through Iran. The Iranian section is known as Iran's seventh cross-country gas pipeline. The first {{convert|902|km|adj=on}} part of this section runs from Asalouyeh to [[Iranshahr (city)|Iranshahr]]. The second {{convert|270|km|adj=on}} part runs from Iranshahr to the Iran–Pakistan border.<ref name=mehr100810>{{cite news|url=http://www.mehrnews.com/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=1131606 |title=Khatam-ol-Anbia to build 2nd phase of IPI gas pipe |agency=[[Mehr News Agency]] |date=10 August 2010 |access-date=20 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120100109/http://www.mehrnews.com/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=1131606 |archive-date=20 November 2011 }}
</ref>

In Pakistan, the length of the pipeline is {{convert|785|km}}.<ref name=naturalgasasia3101013/> It will pass through [[Balochistan (Pakistan)|Baluchistan]] and [[Sindh]].<ref name=reuters170310/> In [[Khuzdar]], a branch would spur off to Karachi, while the main pipeline will continue towards [[Multan]]. From Multan, the pipeline may be expanded to [[Delhi]].<ref name=jang150107>
{{cite news
|url=http://jang.com.pk/thenews/jan2007-weekly/busrev-15-01-2007/p8.htm
|title=Iran-Pak-India gas pipeline: implications and prospects
|publisher=[[Jang Group of Newspapers]]
|work=Business & Finance Review
|first=Sohaib
|last=Shahid
|date=15 January 2007
|access-date=20 March 2010
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410041632/http://jang.com.pk/thenews/jan2007-weekly/busrev-15-01-2007/p8.htm
|archive-date=10 April 2010
}}
</ref> The route in Pakistan may be changed if China will participate in the project.<ref name=zawya171111>
{{cite news
|url=http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20111117050554
|title= Pakistan determined to launch IP Pipeline
|publisher=Zawya
|newspaper = Iran Daily
|date=17 November 2011
|access-date=20 November 2011
|id = {{subscription required}}}}
</ref>

As there are concerns over the pipeline being attacked by [[Insurgency in Balochistan|Baluchi insurgents]], an alternative offshore route from Iran to the [[maritime boundary]] between India and Pakistan off [[Kutch district|Kutch]] was proposed. According to this proposal, from there one branch was to run to Pakistan while other branch to run to Kutch.<ref name=timesofindia281208>
{{cite news
|url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Columnists/S_A_Aiyar_IPI_gas_pipeline_RIP/articleshow/3902150.cms
|title=IPI gas pipeline, RIP
|author= Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar
|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]
|date=28 December 2008
|access-date=20 March 2010}}
</ref><ref name=dawn201111>
{{cite news
|url= http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/20/murky-politics-of-gas.html
|title= Murky politics of gas
|author = Syed Fazl-e-Haider
|work = Dawn|location=Pakistan
|date=20 November 2011
|access-date=20 November 2011}}
</ref>

== Technical description ==
The initial capacity of the pipeline was to be {{convert|22|e9m3|abbr=off}} of natural gas per year, which was expected to be raised later to {{convert|55|e9m3|abbr=off}}.<ref name=reuters1>
{{cite news
|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUKISL26015020080429
|title=Iranian president tries to seal India pipeline
|author=Bappa Majumdar, Nidhi Verma
|work=[[Reuters]]
|date=29 April 2008
|access-date=10 May 2008}}
</ref> However, as a bilateral project between Iran and Pakistan, the pipeline will carry only {{convert|8.7|e9m3|abbr=off}} of gas per year as contracted and {{convert|40|e9m3|abbr=off}} as a maximum capacity. The pipeline has a diameter of {{convert|56|in|mm}}.<ref name=tt071111>{{cite news
|url= http://www.tehrantimes.com/index.php/component/content/article/4304
|title= Iran: No security snag in pipeline deal
|newspaper= [[Tehran Times]]
|date= 7 November 2011
|access-date= 20 November 2011
|archive-date= 15 May 2013
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130515161317/http://www.tehrantimes.com/index.php/component/content/article/4304
|url-status= dead
}}</ref> It is expected to cost US$7.5 billion and to be commissioned by 2013.<ref name=downstream1/><ref name=tt071111/>

It is expected that gas delivered from Iran through the pipeline will cost US{{convert|11|$/MMBtu|$/MWh|lk=on}} compared to {{convert|13|$/MMBtu|$/MWh}} which is expected to be price of gas delivered through the proposed [[Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline]] and {{convert|18|$/MMBtu|$/MWh}} of imported [[Liquefied natural gas|LNG]].<ref>
{{cite news
|url= http://www.brecorder.com/top-news/1-front-top-news/51923-ip-pipeline-project-pakistan-to-pay-6mmbtu-more-for-gas-price-.html
|title= IP pipeline project: Pakistan to pay $6/MM[million]BTU more for gas price
|newspaper= [[Business Recorder]]
|author = Abdul Rasheed Azad
|date=5 April 2012
|access-date=20 March 2013}}
</ref>

Authorities blamed Lack of safety measures and old infrastructure for the Thursday 14 March 2019 explosion in a gas pipeline near the city of [[Mahshahr]] in southern Iran. One child, one woman and two others were killed in the explosion.<ref>[https://en.radiofarda.com/a/at-least-five-killed-in-iran-gas-explosion/29821346.html At Least Five Killed In Iran Gas Explosion]</ref>

==Companies==
In different times several companies have been interested to build the pipeline. Companies included [[Gazprom]], [[BHP]], [[National Iranian Gas Company]], [[Petronas]], and [[TotalEnergies|Total]]. A consortium consisting of [[Royal Dutch Shell]], [[BG Group]], Petronas and an Iranian business group had negotiated on exporting of gas from South Pars to Pakistan. From India, [[GAIL]] had been involved.<ref name=jang150107/> However, the pipeline's section in Iran was built by the [[National Iranian Gas Company]]. It used [[Khatam al-Anbia]] as a subcontractor.<ref name=mehr100810/> In Pakistan, [[Inter State Gas Systems]] is responsible for the construction of the pipeline.
<ref>{{cite news
|url= http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\03\17\story_17-3-2010_pg5_8
|title= IP pipeline project to cost $3-4bn
|newspaper = [[Daily Times (Pakistan)|Daily Times]]
|first =Zeeshan | last = Javaid
|date=17 March 2010
|access-date=20 March 2010}}
</ref> The contract for engineering, procurement, construction and financing of the Pakistan's section was signed with Iran's Tadbir Energy. Iran agreed to provide a $500 million loan for construction payable in 20 years.<ref name=naturalgasasia3101013/> However, on 13-December-2013, Pakistan's Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that Iran refused to fund the project citing 'acute financial constraint' as the reason. Pakistan authorities however said to remain committed with the project. Both sides have decided to constitute a working group which would re-establish in two months the new parameters for the projects, including a new time-frame and other important issues involving financing of pipeline to be laid down in the territory of Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.platts.com/latest-news/natural-gas/karachi/iran-withdraws-500-mil-funding-offer-to-pakistan-26546608|title=Iran withdraws $500 mil funding offer to Pakistan for gas pipeline project|access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/644785/in-limbo-iran-takes-back-pipeline-financing-deal/|title=In limbo: Iran takes back pipeline financing deal|date=12 December 2013}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India Pipeline]]
* [[Iran–Pakistan relations]]
* [[List of power stations in Iran]]
* [[List of power stations in Pakistan]]
* [[Energy in Iran]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist|group=tribune.com.pk}}

==External links==
* [http://www.iags.org/n0507071.htm Iran-Pakistan-India Pipeline: A View from Washington] by Gal Luft, 15 June 2007.
* [http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/mesh/2009/05/iran-pakistan-pipeline-irans-new-lifeline/ Iran-Pakistan pipeline: Iran’s new lifeline] by Gal Luft, 29 May 2009.

{{Energy in Iran}}
{{Iran–Pakistan relations}}
{{India–Pakistan relations}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Iran-Pakistan-India Gas Pipeline}}
[[Category:1994 in Pakistan]]
[[Category:1994 in Iran]]
[[Category:Natural gas pipelines in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Natural gas pipelines in Iran]]
[[Category:Proposed pipelines in Asia]]
[[Category:Proposed energy infrastructure in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Projects established in 2014]]
[[Category:Iran–Pakistan relations]]
[[Category:India–Iran relations]]
[[Category:India–Pakistan relations]]

Iran–Pakistan gas pipeline - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article