SNGPL announces gas load management due to dry docking of EETPL’s FSRU from 29th June to 5th July
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD:
Setting aside the concerns so far raised by some federal ministers, petroleum division has finally granted permission for dry docking to a Floating, Storage and Re-gasification Unit (FSRU) of a private Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) handling terminal.
According to sources, the petroleum division has now granted permission for the dry docking to a private LNG terminal, setting aside the concerns of some cabinet members. And, SNGPL on the advice of petroleum division, has issued orders to suspend gas supply to CNG, cement and non-export industrial sectors across Punjab and KPK.
Source said that due to dry dock activities at a private LNG terminal, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has decided to suspend gas supply to CNG, cement, and non-export industry of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from midnight (29th June 2021) in order to manage the gas loads.
As per sources, SNGPL, in its memorandum dated 28th June 2021said that re-gasification from EETPL (Terminal-1) will be disrupted during the 29th June 2021 to 5th July 2021 due to unplanned dry dock activities.
The SNGPL also announced suspension of gas/Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) supply to compressed natural gas (CNG), cement and non-export industrial sector across the franchised area of SNGPL (including Punjab and KPK) in order to manage the gas loads because of dry dock activities at Engro LNG Terminal.
“Gas/RLNG supply to above sectors should be suspended on the midnight of 29th June 2021 till midnight of 5th July 2021,” said SNGPL’s memorandum.
SNGPL also made it clear that “Physical disconnection of all consumers is critical, otherwise the impact of curtailment will be marginalized”.
It is also learnt from the sources that acute gas shortage will be witnessed first time in the history of the country during the summer season. However, alternate floating storage and re-gasification unit (FSRU) has arrived in Karachi. They said that Tabaish Gauhar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Petroleum is also in Karachi from last three days to solve gas shortage and issues related with dry docking of FSRU at EETPL terminal. They said an inquiry on the advice of Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) has already been launched to determine the responsible behind the delay in dry dock activities at EETPL terminal. This inquiry will be completed within a month period, said sources.
Sources further informed that so far Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Ziadi had already raised his voice against EETPL for failing to intimate on suitable time regarding dry docking of its FSRU since terminal operator (EETPL) was bound to intimate specific dates of dry docking with the start of this year under the agreement. Similarly, Federal Planning Minister Asad Umar was of the stance that the time of dry docking of EETPL’s FSRU was not suitable because of improvement in economic activities at the start of new financial year. The Federal Minister Asad Umar also proposed to consult Law Division prior to taking a decision regarding granting permission for starting dry dock activities at EETPL’s terminal. Furthermore, Finance Minister had also recommended initiating inquiry into the matter of dry docking of the FSRU of EETPL. Later, an inquiry under the leadership of Railways Minister had already been launched to look into the delay in dry docking of FSRU at EETPL terminal.
Earlier, in order to avoid looming gas crisis in summer season across the country, petroleum division had earlier proposed SNGPL to suspend 70Million Cubic Feet per Day (MMCFD) of RLNG to two fertilizer plants, 40MMCFD of RLNG to CNG sector of the Punjab province 70MMCFD of local gas to CNG sector of KPK province, 115MMCFD of RLNG to non-export industrial sector of Punjab and KPK. Similarly, petroleum division proposed Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) to stop RLNG supply to CNG, non-export industrial sectors under its domain while the gas which will be save from suspension of gas supply to CNG and non-export industry should be supply to the K-Electric.
