Azerbaijan, Baku, May 24 /Trend E. Kosolapova/
The U.S strongly supports Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, U.S. State Department spokesman Victoria Nuland said on Wednesday.
"This is a perfect example of energy diversification, energy integration, done right. We are very strong supporters of the TAPI pipeline," Nuland said at the press briefing.
On Wednesday Turkmenistan signed an agreement for the sale and purchase of natural gas as part of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline project.
Nuland said that the U.S. state department assesses this agreement as a very positive step forward and sort of a key example seeking with New Silk Road Initiative, which aims at regional integration to lift all boats and create prosperity across the region.
Moreover, the U.S. is ready to continue supporting this project.
"We have been supportive politically, and we stand by to be supportive in other ways if asked," U.S. State Department spokesman said.
The practical implementation of the TAPI project signed in late 2010 is the base document to promote TAPI project.
The design capacity of the pipeline is up to 33 billion cubic meters of gas per year. The project is promoted by the Asian Development Bank.
The resource base in addition to the Dovletabad field is the largest field in Turkmenistan, namely the Southern Yoloten - Osman (Galkynysh). The length of the pipeline may reach 1,735 kilometres.
At present, the principle of forming an international consortium is being discussed.