Addressing challenges: Caretaker PM for devising petroleum strategy

Was briefed on production, consumption of gas and petroleum products

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk has called for formulating a comprehensive strategy for addressing petroleum-related issues during the interim period for consideration of the next elected government.

Chairing a briefing on petroleum at the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday, he said the basic mandate of the caretaker government was to address any emergency situation. Minister for Energy Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, Secretary to Prime Minister Suhail Aamir, Petroleum Secretary Sikandar Sultan Raja and other senior officials attended the briefing.



The petroleum secretary briefed the caretaker prime minister with special focus on production and sector-wise consumption of gas and petroleum products in the country.

The prime minister was informed that the country’s current energy requirement of 79.58 million tons of oil equivalent was being met through 38% gas, 34% oil, 6% liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other resources, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), hydel and coal resources.

The petroleum secretary also gave an overview of the available gas and oil reserves in the country and the cumulative province-wise production and their utilisation.



The PM was told that around 0.5 million gas consumers were being added annually to the existing number of 8.8 million in the country.

With diminishing domestic gas production, the LNG supply, which currently stands at 1,000 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd), is projected to reach 3,600 mmcfd by 2030.

The petroleum secretary also highlighted certain issues concerning the petroleum sector including the revision in gas sale prices.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2018.

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