8,272 complaints resolved during pandemic

Allowed oil & gas companies regulatory tasks, build additional oil storage

ISLAMABAD:

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), despite an outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, allowed oil and gas companies to carry out different regulatory activities to benefit consumers in the financial year 2020-21.

“A deadly virus (Covid-19) humbled the human race and ignited a development emergency. Its impact was multi-facet, the Covid-19 pandemic was – and continues to be – a uniquely common experience for our generation. Against all odds, however, Ogra showed ‘resilience’ and continued moving ahead; granting licenses and performing other activities to help consumers during the pandemic,” said the annual report on FY2020-21 released on Friday.

The regulator granted a license to M/s K-Electric Limited for the construction and operation of natural gas /RLNG transmission pipeline from Port Qasim to KE’s Bin Qasim Power Complex.

It also granted a license to M/s Tabeer Energy Marketing (Private) Limited, M/s Energas Marketing (Private) Limited, M/s Shell Energy Pakistan (Private) Limited to carry out regulated activity for the sale of Natural Gas/RLNG to consumers, it added.

Similarly, M/s Energas was also given a license for the construction and operation of a 30-inch diameter and 9 Km long Natural Gas/RLNG transmission pipeline from ENERGAS Terminal to SSGC’s Custody Transfer Station at Port Qasim.

In a first, Ogra also granted five licenses for the transportation of LPG through road bowsers. During the fiscal year under discussion, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) were allowed to build additional oil storage of 95,379 MT including, 50,019 MT of motor gasoline and 45,360 MT of high-speed diesel in the country.

Ogra also undertook consumer related activities, entertaining complaints against natural gas, LPG, CNG and oil companies free of cost. The regulatory authority resolved 8,272 complaints out of 8,361 filed, during the FY 2020-21.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2022.

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