New Delhi : A proposed gas pipeline running nearly 2,000 kilometres beneath the Arabian Sea is once again attracting attention as India looks for ways to strengthen its energy security. The Oman-Gujarat Deep-Sea Gas Pipeline, estimated to cost around Rs 40,000 crore, would transport natural gas directly from Oman to India’s west coast through one of the deepest subsea routes ever attempted. If realised, the project could create a direct energy corridor between the Gulf and India while reducing dependence on shipping routes that pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
India remains heavily dependent on imported energy. The country imports most of its crude oil requirements and relies significantly on overseas supplies of natural gas, particularly LNG. A substantial portion of those imports originates in the Gulf and reaches India through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. Any disruption along this route can have immediate consequences for global energy markets, affecting shipping costs, fuel prices and supply chains.
Unlike LNG imports, which require gas to be liquefied, transported by tanker and regasified upon arrival, a pipeline would allow natural gas to flow directly from source to destination. Supporters argue that this could offer greater reliability and reduce exposure to disruptions affecting maritime trade routes. Parts of the route are expected to lie more than 3,000 metres below sea level, making it one of the deepest subsea pipeline projects ever proposed. Such depths are significantly greater than those encountered in most offshore energy projects and would require highly specialised engineering solutions.
According to project proposals, transportation costs could be in the range of $2-2.25 per MMBtu, although final costs would depend on financing arrangements, construction expenses and future gas prices. Over the decades, multiple studies examined the possibility of laying a pipeline beneath the Arabian Sea. However, earlier proposals struggled to gain momentum because of high costs and technological constraints.
Those concerns have not disappeared, but advances in offshore engineering and the growing strategic importance of energy security have helped revive interest in the project. SAGE, the private consortium promoting the pipeline, has reportedly completed technical and financial feasibility studies. The consortium has also conducted seabed surveys along the proposed route to assess underwater conditions and identify potential engineering challenges.
Constructing infrastructure at depths of around 3,000 metres presents challenges that go far beyond those encountered in conventional pipeline projects. Extreme pressure, difficult seabed conditions and limited accessibility make installation and maintenance considerably more complex. Any leak or technical failure would also be difficult and expensive to repair, requiring specialised vessels and advanced underwater equipment.
The estimated cost of Rs 40,000 crore remains preliminary, and large infrastructure projects often face delays and cost overruns. Whether the pipeline ultimately makes commercial sense will depend on long-term gas prices, transportation costs and future demand. Supporters believe changing market conditions and strategic considerations have strengthened the case, but investors will still want assurances that the project can generate sustainable returns.
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