70 percent RLNG supply to be restored by tomorrow, says Azhar

ISLAMABAD 2 July: Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar said on Friday that 70 percent of regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) supply will be restored by tomorrow (Saturday).

The minister’s claim came as he informed that 40 per cent regasification of RLNG had been achieved ahead of schedule.

Dry Docking of RLNG terminal update: “Changeover of ships completed on time on Wednesday. 40% regasification of RLNG from the replacement ship has been achieved 2 days ahead of schedule,” the minister said on Twitter.

“We are targeting 70% restoration of RLNG supply by tomorrow InshAllah,” Azhar added.

Two days ago, on June 30, the minister said that the Kunnar-Passaki Deep (KPD) gas field had resumed supply to the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) network after days of decline in gas availability.

Taking to Twitter, the Energy Minister announced that the gas field had completed its annual turnover and was now ready to pump the much-needed gas to the SSGC.

He said the start of dry docking of Engro’s LNG terminal will be completed by Monday and that Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) gas diversions are also expected to take place during this period.

The country is facing a twin crisis of shortages in the supply of energy and gas as the SNGPL completely stopped gas supply to three sectors, including cement and CNG stations in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa till July 5.

On June 28, in view of a shortage of gas that is affecting power generation, the energy ministry issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) to power producers to import furnace oil.

The NOC for importing the much-needed fuel was issued after the Petroleum and Power Division held a consultation with the Cabinet Standing Committee on Energy.

The decision was made after disruptions in the gas supply to power plants fuelled fears of an intense energy crisis and a dramatic reduction in the supply of electricity across the country