Fertiliser manufacturers have lashed out at the government and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) for implementing a gas load management policy, owing to which various urea plants are not receiving gas as per agreed quantities.
Speaking at a public hearing organised by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) in Multan, fertiliser manufacturers demanded immediate resumption of gas supply, claiming to hold second priority after residential consumers.
Ogra Chairman Tauqir Sadiq said the authority would balance the divergent interests of utility companies and consumers and would scrutinise all costs with the help of a team of professionals.
SNGPL filed a petition on December 3, 2010 to determine its estimated revenue requirement for financial year 2011-12 and requested for an increase of Rs28.03 per million British thermal unit (MMBTU) in its average price from July 1, 2011. The company was expecting an increase in the cost of gas production in 2011-12 due to a rise in crude oil and furnace oil prices.
Later on March 1, SNGPL amended the petition and sought an increase of Rs47.98 per MMBTU in its average price.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 23rd, 2011.
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