ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed to fast-track the issuance of licenses for domestic exploration of gas as it is the cheapest source of natural gas.
While chairing a high-level meeting to review the gas situation in Pakistan in Islamabad on Wednesday, the prime minister also directed the concerned departments to remove hurdles in the process of installation of new LNG Terminals and virtual pipeline projects by investors.
In this regard, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the Ministry of Petroleum, and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) were directed to coordinate and also take all other stakeholders on board including the investors.
In addition, the prime minister while emphasizing the importance of the North-South Gas Pipeline directed to ensure its execution without further delay in the agreed timelines.
The meeting was briefed about the demand, supply from the domestic reserves, shortfall and Import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
It was informed that the current constrained demand of gas in the Country is 4700 MMCFD which increases to 6000-6500 MMCFD during the winter season.
The current domestic supply amounts to 3300 MMCFD which is decreasing every year.
The resulting shortfall has to be managed by importing LNG.
With the current infrastructure, a shortfall of nearly 1000 MMCFD in winters arises for which multiple options are being adopted. For the short term, the existing capacity of domestic terminals is being optimized and the process of issuance of virtual pipeline licenses is expedited.
In addition, the installation of two new LNG Terminals is underway with all bottlenecks being removed on a priority basis.
