Myanmar says no to gas exports to India

NEW DELHI: In a major blow to India's quest for energy security, Myanmar has refused to export gas to the energy-hungry nation and instead wants to lay a pipeline to china to sell natural gas found in its offshore area.

Myanmar last week told an Indian delegation it wants to export gas from discoveries made in offshore block A-1 and potential reserves in block A-3 block to China, highly placed sources said.

ONGC Videsh and Gail (India) have 30% stake in blocks A-1 and A-3 blocks, where South Korea’s Daewoo is the operator with 60 per cent interest. The remaining 10 per cent is with Kogas of South Korea.

India has been seeking import of natural gas from Myanmar, Iran and Turkmenistan to supplement falling domestic production, which barely meets half the current demand.

Gail last year proposed a 1,573-km pipeline from Myanmar through the north-eastern states of Mizoram and Assam to West Bengal and to Gaya in bihar to transport gas from A-1 and A-3. China and Thailand had submitted competing pipeline proposals.