Gas supply for industries, CNG stations to remain suspended for two days: SSGC

The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) announced on Friday that gas supplies to all industrial consumers and all CNG stations would remain suspended for 48 hours from January 24 to improve gas pressure for domestic consumers.

“In order to ensure better gas pressure for its domestic and commercial consumers, gas supply to all industrial consumers, including captive power plants and all CNG stations, including those operating on RLNG, will remain suspended for 48 hours — from 8am on Saturday, January 24, until 8am on Monday, January 26, “ SSGC said in a statement.

The company said domestic customers facing low gas pressure during the suspension period should register complaints via its 24-hour helpline, 1199, adding that staff would respond promptly.

SSGC also reminded consumers that under routine gas load management, gas supply to domestic and commercial consumers remains suspended daily from 10pm to 5am.

"The organisation remains continuously committed to providing better gas pressure to its consumers," it added.

Read More: Gas supply raised to 746mmcfd on winter demand surge

The country has been grappling with gas shortages, with around eight hours of daily load-shedding, a situation that has worsened with the onset of winter as households increase use of geysers and heaters.

Against that backdrop, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik directed gas utilities to take immediate steps to ease supply pressure on domestic consumers as severe cold weather pushed demand higher nationwide.

The managing director of SNGPL said overall gas supply has been increased from 691 mmcfd to 746 mmcfd since January 6, adding that production at the Shiva gas field was raised from 55 mmcfd to 65 mmcfd, improving availability. Malik asked officials to explore all options to further reduce pressure on household consumers, including examining whether additional gas could be diverted from the industrial sector to homes during the critical winter period.

The managing director of SSGC said the supply situation improved after output was restored from two gas fields, and that an additional 39 mmcfd was being supplied to domestic consumers compared with the same period last year.

He added that consultations were under way with industrial stakeholders on potentially increasing weekly industrial gas shutdowns from one day to two days to prioritise household consumption.