Adviser to Prime Minister on Petroleum Dr Asim Hussain has announced on Friday that the government will separate the domestic and industrial gas pipeline network within three months to ensure uninterrupted gas supply to industries.
While addressing Faisalabad’s business community, the adviser also appealed to them to understand the existing demand and supply situation, and not exert unnecessary pressure on the government. He reiterated that uninterrupted gas supply to the textile industry was a top priority for the government.
Dr Asim Hussain also announced the formation of a committee that will coordinate with the ministry to finalise a gas management schedule for the textile sector.
He promised that gas load-shedding will be less severe in the coming winters than it was in the previous year. He said that the import of LNG which will ease lessen gas shortages, but will take another six months.
Hussain also talked about the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, and said the project was likely to be completed in 2014. He further said that the Oil and Gas Development Company will enhance production by another 400 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) by mid 2013, further narrowing the gap between supply and demand.
Regarding the Gas Infrastructure Development Surcharge, the federal adviser said that the government has reduced the cess by 50% on demands from industrialists. He also announced that the paid gas development charges will be refunded in future bills.
Hussain also urged industries to avoid gas theft, which he said amounted to 400MMCFD during the last winters.
Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Managing Director Arif Hameed, who was also present said that the theft of gas has to be stopped. If it continues, he warned, the whole country will be without gas in the coming years.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th, 2012.
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