Consensus on IPI gas tariff likely

Islamabad, Dec 2 (UNI) A senior Pakistani petroleum official has expressed hope that a ''consensus'' will emerge in the forthcoming tripartite meeting in Tehran to finalise the seven billion dollars Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project.

Dawn newspaper quoted Petroleum and Natural Resources Secretary Ahmad Waqar as saying that there was a room for consensus on the report of the UK-based consultant Gaffiney Caline&Associates over its proposed gas tariff for the IPI project.

He said Pakistan was expecting a tripartite meeting in early December in Tehran to further negotiate the issue of gas price to be offered by Iran to India and Pakistan.

Mr Waqar said he was hopeful for a consensus as Pakistan has not rejected the gas tariff finalised by the consultant.

''Pakistan is still to decide about it and we hope that some agreed gas tariff could be worked out in the Tehran meeting,'' he said.

India has reportedly rejected the price of 8 dollars per million British thermal units for Iran's Brent crude and has sought 4.25 dollars.

The official said Pakistan had also offered to Iran to arrange a tripartite meeting in Islamabad if the same could not be held in Teheran for any reason. ''We are waiting for their response.'' Mr Waqar said since the IPI was a viable project, work on it could be started as soon as issues like framework agreement, detailed designing, route and configuration of the pipeline were sorted out.

He said about 1,400km long pipeline was expected to be completed by 2010-11 because there was no problem of funding. ''A number of international investors are expected to finance the gas project,'' he said.

UNI XC SY DS1350