Officially announces commitment to project; expects first flow of gas by end of 2014. PHOTO: FILE
According to the energy strategy unveiled by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government in the Annual Plan 2013-14 released on Wednesday, the project’s cost has been reduced to $1.25 billion against earlier estimates of $1.5 billion.
Under the IP gas pipeline project, Pakistan will import 750 mmcfd of gas to generate 4,000 Megawatts of power to overcome the crippling power crisis.
According to the plan, the government plans to appoint a third party inspection agency for the IP project in June-July 2013. It has also planned to procure equipment and material to begin construction in the financial year 2013-14. The government has also targeted to complete the construction of Pakistan’s portion of the pipeline in the new fiscal year, at which time the first gas flows are expected to begin.
At the same time, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government is also planning on committing to the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project. Under this project, about 3.2 billion cubic feet per day of gas will flow through the 1,680 kilometre-long pipeline. The estimated cost of the pipeline is about $7.6 billion.
During the fiscal year 2012-13, which will end by the end of this month, the expected local production of oil was 74,000 barrels per day against a target of 69,000 barrels per day, exceeding the target by 5,000 barrels per day.
However, gas production fell short of the target, as the domestic gas production was expected to be 4,200 mmcfd against the 4,791 mmcfd target.
A total of only 83 wells (30 exploratory and 53 appraisal/development wells) were expected to be drilled against a target of 100 wells.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2013.
COMMENTS (14)
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What will do, kerry is going to come to pakistan for talks??
strange that we have to buy our own gas from Iran!
some good news from Nawaz shrif
@Umar This is no commitment shown by Nawaz !! Under such opposition from NATION on stopping IP gas pipeline project, he is merely diverting and deluding the situation for the moment! He has shown his real intentions while surfacing Turkmenistan,Afghanistan Pakistan India gas pipeline project, All American tattoo nations(excluding India which is otherwise American favorite against Pakistan) !! THis is what he wants to replace IP pipeline Project!!
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui
The World is drowning in Natural Gas - your power plants are sitting idle because you don't have the money to purchase gas - pipeline isn't going to solve that problem.
Well done Nawaz Sharif. He has shown that he will not compromise on national interest or serve as a proxy for his Saudi friends. The IP gas pipeline is in our national interest and is needed to alleviate the energy crisis.
@Sonya: Not friends masters of our rulers.
Good news for the people of Pakistan - bad news for the friends of Pakistan i.e., US, Saudi Arabia
It is necessary that the new incoming government should honour all the commitments made on behalf of Government of Pakistan by the previous government.
Please go ahead, as we have acute shortage of Gas in Pakistan.
@ArXhad.... Fully agreed.....
Commendable.
We wish...............targeting the first flow of gas in December 2014. This is another SICK trick of the RULERS like protesting against Drones...... Keeping in view the Pakistan position in Americ's eyes........... this project is anothe KALAABAGH DAM. For such projects Nation has to be a NATION and Leader has to be a LEADER.