My Government Went to Afghanistan And All I Got Was This Stupid Pipeline

Trans-Afghan Pipeline Vital Statistics

Description: 48-inch (4-feet) conduit for natural gas from Turkmenistan with option to run a parallel oil pipeline for oil from Kazakhstan and northern Afghanistan

Capacity: 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas per annum; oil flow to be determined

Route: 950 miles from Turkmen-Afghan border north of Herat southeast to Arabia Sea at Garadar, Pakistan

Cost to Oil Consortium: $1.9 to $2.7 billion (estimated)

Cost to U.S. and Allied Taxpayers: $4.5 to 6.5 billion for infrastructure and humanitarian assistance to maintain security within Afghanistan

Construction Period: 2003 to 2007

Total Net Profits: $1 to 1.5 billion per annum

Afghanistan Profits (Transit Fees): 8 percent, or $100 to $300 million per year

Projected Ownership: Unocal Corporation-led consortium for 30 years, then reverts to Islamic State of Afghanistan

Project History: Originally conceived by Bridas Corporation (Argentina) in 1993, which dropped out in 1996 when Unocal established relationship with new Taliban government. Promoted by Unocal until 1998 missile strikes against Al Qaeda. Dormant until 2001. Revived either prior to or immediately at start of U.S. bombing campaign in October 2001. Memorandum of Understanding signed May 30, 2002 in Islamabad between Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Formal financing not yet arranged.

—Ted Rall