Gas Pipeline: No worries about Hormuz; gas to arrive directly via the sea; pipeline to be laid from Oman to Gujarat.

Subsea Gas Pipeline Project: Tensions between Iran, the US, and Israel have impacted energy supplies routed through the Strait of Hormuz. A backup plan is being devised to address this situation.

Hormuz Strait Blockade: A 2,000-kilometer-long deep-sea pipeline (South Asia Gas Enterprise - SAGE) connecting Oman and Gujarat has been proposed; this could prove to be a game-changer for India's energy security. Under this ambitious project—estimated to cost around $5 billion (approximately ₹41,000 crore)—a gas pipeline will be laid beneath the Arabian Sea, stretching from Ras Al Jafan in Oman to Mundra Port in Gujarat.

World's Deepest Gas Pipeline

This gas pipeline will run at a depth of 3,400 meters (3.4 kilometers) below the sea surface, making it one of the most challenging deep-sea pipeline projects in the world. The pipeline will enable the supply of 31 million metric standard cubic meters (MMSCMD) of natural gas to India daily.

Currently, India imports gas via LNG tankers, which is a costly process. Sourcing gas through a pipeline would result in significant savings of approximately $2–3 per mmBtu on import costs.

How Crucial is This Project for India?

India relies heavily on imports to meet its energy needs. A substantial portion of these imports originates in Gulf nations and reaches India via the Strait of Hormuz—a narrow maritime passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. Any disruption along this route could have an immediate impact on the global energy market, affecting shipping costs, fuel prices, and supply chains. Recent tensions in West Asia have once again highlighted the risks associated with relying on a single maritime route. Volatile LNG prices and concerns regarding shipping security have renewed interest in alternatives that offer greater supply stability.

Unlike LNG imports—which involve liquefying the gas, transporting it via tankers, and regasifying it upon arrival—natural gas can be transported directly from source to destination via pipelines. Experts suggest that this approach could mitigate the risks posed by disruptions to maritime trade routes.

India's Clean Energy Goal

India aims to increase the share of natural gas in its energy mix from 6% to 15% by 2030, and pipeline projects will prove instrumental in achieving this target.