SSGC launches new high-pressure pipeline

Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has launched a dedicated pipeline, investing Rs3.86 billion, to supply fuel at high pressure to industrial consumers in the western part of Karachi. This new phase aims to address low-pressure gas issues for industrial customers in the region.

According to a press statement, the gas utility integrated a 31-kilometer-long, 24-inch diameter pipeline from MVA ACPL to SMS Surjani, solving low-pressure supply problems for industrial customers in the western region. SSGC’s Managing Director, Imran Maniar, inaugurated the pipeline, underscoring that the project will separate low-pressure domestic and commercial consumers from high-pressure industrial consumers in the SITE and Hub Industrial Areas. The current demand of these industrial customers is around 130-140 mmscfd (million standard cubic feet per day), with future demand estimated to be 80-100 mmscfd. This new pipeline is expected to meet approximately 269 mmscfd of demand.

Additionally, the pipeline will serve as a feeding source for a 5-kilometer pipeline from SMS Surjani to Madinatal Hikmah, part of SSGC’s Master Plan for expanding the distribution network in Karachi. The project also includes modifications to the Surjani stepdown assembly, leading to more effective and efficient control, better monitoring, and reduced leakages and theft, known as Unaccounted-for-Gas (UFG), Maniar added.

Maniar praised SSGC’s engineers, workers, and technicians for their dedication to the project, completing it within the timeline despite extreme heat over the past month and a half. He noted that the project execution will reduce UFG by lowering unwanted high gas pressures in the domestic sector and improving pressures and volumes in the industrial sector.

Maniar attributed this achievement to the unified effort and teamwork of all departments, including projects and construction, planning and development, transmission, finance, procurement, and corporate communication departments.

The gas company has installed six major dedicated pipelines in Karachi to enhance gas supplies to industrial zones, including SITE (Shershah), Hub, Korangi, and Landhi. Maniar highlighted significant industrial developments in Nooriabad and Hub, with the gas utility firm receiving applications for new industrial connections.