Oman-Gujarat Deep-Sea Gas Pipeline On Cards: Ruling BJP Shares Details
Context mode is active. Hover over any highlighted term to see its definition. Click a nested term to go deeper.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has thrown its weight behind the ambitious ₹40,000 crore Oman-Gujarat Deep-Sea Gas Pipeline, reviving a decades-old project now positioned as a critical pillar of India's long-term energy security. This proposed 2,000-kilometer subsea artery aims to forge a direct energy corridor beneath the Arabian Sea, significantly bypassing the geopolitically fraught Strait of Hormuz and its inherent vulnerabilities. The move signals New Delhi's proactive strategy to insulate its energy supply from escalating West Asian tensions and fluctuating global markets. India, a major energy importer, currently relies heavily on maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz for a substantial portion of its crude oil and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) imports, a vulnerability acutely exposed by recent regional conflicts. The Middle East-India Deepwater Pipeline (MEIDP), as it is also known, is envisioned to deliver approximately 31 million metric standard cubic meters per day (mmscmd) of natural gas, supporting India's goal to increase natural gas share in its energy mix to 15% by 2030. While previous attempts to launch the project stalled due to high costs and technological hurdles, advancements in deep-sea engineering, including the ability to lay pipelines at depths exceeding 3,000 meters, are making this technically challenging endeavor more feasible today. With the Indian Petroleum Ministry tasking state-owned giants like GAIL, Engineers India Limited, and Indian Oil Corporation with preparing a detailed feasibility report, the immediate focus is on solidifying the technical and commercial viability. If greenlit, the construction phase alone could span five to seven years, pushing engineering limits and demanding substantial international collaboration for financing and expertise. Success would not only fortify India's energy resilience but also strategically deepen its economic ties with Gulf nations, potentially reshaping regional energy integration.