MUMBAI, DEC 10: The US oil giant Unocal has announced plans for an estimated $ 2 billion gas pipeline project for India that would be a component in its "trans-Asia natural gas network."

The "Project Energy Renaissance" would bring gas supplies to West Bengal for industry and power generation from as far east as Burma, where Unocal is developing another pipeline project.

The project calls for pipelines transporting up to 28 million cubic meters of natural gas per day to industrial centres in West Bengal and nearby areas.It will be developed with Paharpur Cooling Towers Ltd and other investors. "In addition to the benefits to the region, these projects would be crucial links in an evolving trans-asia pipleline network, in which Unocal expects to be major participant," said Unocal vice president Boyd Montgomery. The project was announced yesterday in Calcutta, where Montgomery is part of a US trade mission to India. The project is a component in Unocal's trans-Asia gas network that would include existing and proposed pipelines in Thailand, Burma, Central and South Asia.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.