strait of hormuz
Amidst the increasing tension in the Strait of Hormuz, India is going to take a big step to strengthen its energy security. The government is working rapidly on a plan to lay about 2,000 km long undersea gas pipeline from Oman to Gujarat. This project, costing about Rs 40 thousand crore, can provide stable and cheap gas supply to India without any maritime obstruction. This will reduce dependence on the LNG market and the risk of energy crisis will also reduce.
According to Petroleum Ministry officials, if this project gets final approval, it may take five to seven years to complete. The government believes that this will help India reduce its dependence on the LNG spot market and the supply of gas will become more stable and affordable. The proposed Middle East-India Deep-water Pipeline (MEIDP) will be about 2,000 kilometers long. This pipeline will directly connect Oman to the coast of Gujarat through under the Arabian Sea. Through this, about 31 mmscmd natural gas can be delivered to India daily.
The government has started preparations to instruct government companies GAIL, Engineers India and Indian Oil Corp to prepare a detailed report of this project. The initial study is being done on the basis of the report of New Delhi based private company The South Asia Gas Enterprise (SAGE).
Pipeline will be saved from sea obstructions
According to the ET report, this pipeline will be designed in such a way that it can avoid geopolitically sensitive areas and sea obstructions. This will give India the option to import gas directly from gas rich countries like Oman, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkmenistan. It is being told that this pipeline can be laid at a depth of up to 3,450 meters in the sea. If this happens, it will be among the world’s deepest undersea pipeline projects. In recent technical studies it has been considered practical and safe.
SAGE has claimed in its report that it has already laid a 3,000 meter long technical test pipeline at a cost of about Rs 25 crore to understand the conditions of the seabed. Experts believe that this project will not only increase energy security but will also increase India’s economic and strategic strength. Due to this, the country’s gas supply will not be affected even if there is a global crisis or blockage in sea routes like Hormuz.
