State-run gas firm GAIL (India) Ltd is keen on joining the $13 billion Trans-Saharan gas pipeline that is to supply gas from Africa to the European market, company Chairman and Managing Director UD Choubey said on Tuesday.
"We have envisaged interest and are keen to participate in the project," he told reporters in New Delhi.
Once built, the 4,300-km line would transport gas from the Niger Delta in southern Nigeria through Niger and into Algeria and Europe.
Nigeria, Algeria, and Niger hope to start gas exports via the proposed 18-25 billion cubic meters a year Trans-Sahara gas pipeline (TSGP) in 2015.
According to the feasibility report published by engineering company Penspen Consulting, TSGP would comprise a 48-56-inch pipeline from Nigeria to Algeria's Mediterranean coast at Beni Saf and subsea pipelines of 20-inch between Beni Saf and Spain.
"We being primarily gas transportation and marketing company, we see a lot of synergy in participation in the transnational project," he said.
The pipeline has been on the drawing board for at least 20 years but Choubey said the project is feasible. Europe expects to import 500 billion cubic meters of gas in 2020.
{{/usCountry}}The pipeline has been on the drawing board for at least 20 years but Choubey said the project is feasible. Europe expects to import 500 billion cubic meters of gas in 2020.
{{/usCountry}}Nigeria currently has 180 trillion cubic feet of proved gas reserves and is committed to supplying TSGP, using gas that would otherwise be flared. It plans to eliminate gas flaring by 2008.