Ministry optimistic about smooth CNG supply in winter

Situation improving after import of LNG, 84 new oil and gas discoveries

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources is optimistic about ensuring a smooth supply of gas to compressed natural gas (CNG) stations in the upcoming winter season after the import of LNG.

“The gas situation is improving gradually; especially after the arrival of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) and 84 new oil and gas discoveries. This winter, the supply will be even better than the previous years,” said official sources on Monday.



They said the government was making all-out efforts to keep the gap between demand and supply of gas at the lowest in peak winter season. They said the load management would also be observed on need-basis.

Responding to a question, officials said that currently, uninterrupted gas supply was being provided to the domestic, commercial, industrial, power, fertiliser and CNG sectors.

Concerning oil and gas exploration activities, they said companies operating in different parts of the country made 84 discoveries during the last three years, following which around 631 million cubic feet (mmcfd) per day gas and 27,359 barrels per day (bpd) crude oil production have been added to the system.

“Imported LNG is playing a major role in meeting the energy needs as regular shipments of the commodity are arriving after Pakistan signed the LNG import agreement with Qatar last year,” they said.



“The government has initiated different gas-related projects worth Rs800 billion to steer the country out of the energy crisis and hopefully Pakistan will have surplus power due to effective policies of the present government by 2018,” they added.

Meanwhile, a representative of the All Pakistan Compressed Natural Gas Association (APCNGA) expressed confidence that the sector, earlier affected due to gas shortage, will fully revive with increased import of LNG.

He admitted that currently, the sector was not attracting motorists as they were still uncertain about its future but expressed confidence that the future will be of the “inexpensive and environment-friendly fuel, which is almost 30% economical compared to petrol at existing rates”.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2016.

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