Mehar gas processing plant comes on stream

Will produce 30 mmcfd of gas, 3,300 barrels of condensate.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday inaugurated the Mehar gas processing plant, a project of Austria’s OMV, which will produce 30 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcfd) and 3,300 barrels of condensate per day.

According to a statement issued here, the prime minister praised OMV team and its joint venture partners – Government Holdings Private Limited, Ocean Pakistan and Zaver Petroleum – for their commitment, resolve and hard work in completing and commissioning the gas plant.



“It is encouraging to know that OMV has been contributing immensely to the oil and gas sector in Pakistan since commencing operations in 1990,” he said.

The premier also highlighted the initiatives undertaken by OMV for providing education and healthcare through several community development schemes for people living in and around the areas where the company had got petroleum concessions.

“These community development schemes provide quality education and health facilities to the population of Mehar and provide employment opportunities for local youth,” he said.

The prime minister reiterated the government’s commitment to providing a secure and peaceful working environment for unhindered oil and gas exploration in the country.

“Domestic supply of gas is a major component of our energy mix and mainstay of the economy. Gas saves billions of dollars in foreign exchange as it constitutes about 50% of the energy mix,” he said.

“I am also pleased to know that Pakistan is going to achieve production of over 100,000 barrels of oil per day by the end of this year.”

He encouraged OMV and other foreign companies to come forward and take advantage of Pakistan’s business-friendly policies.

Earlier, the premier was briefed that after the start of the second phase of the Mehar gas plant gas production would rise to 80 mmcfd, condensate output would increase to 8,800 barrels per day and liquefied petroleum gas production would go up to 170 tons per day.

Both phases of the Mehar gas field have cost around $440 million.

Water and Power Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, OMV board member Jaap Hujskes, OMV Senior Vice President Middle East and Caspian Region Erwin Kroell and Austrian Ambassador Axel Welch were present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 17^th, 2014.

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