Closure of CNG for 3 days a week is on the cards: NA body told

In the winter season , the load shedding of the gas could be extended to four to five days whereas closing down of CNG stations to three days a week instead of two days is on the cards of the government
This was told to National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources, which was held at the headquarters of OGDCL here on Thursday. Chairman of the committee Sardar Talib Nakai presided over the meeting.
Secretary Petroleum, Ijaz Chaudhary told the committee that the country is facing the shortfall of 2.5 billion cubit feet per day and if Iran Pakistan gas pipeline would not be completed by 2014, then the scarcity of natural gas would rise to four times.
He said that at present almost 90 percent of the development schemes regarding provision of gas are given by the prime minister and parliamentarians, whereas only 10 percent schemes were prepared by the department. He said that government should either explore new gas resources or import it as the country is facing acute shortage of natural gas.
‘The shortfall of the gas might reach to 10 billon cubic feet per day in just three years , if gas pipeline between Iran and Pakistan would not be completed by 2014.The gas imported form Iran would be expensive and it would be only provided to only industrial consumers. If Baluchistan wants to buy the gas form Iran , it has to pay the cost like others”, secretary added.
He told the committee that the gas bought from Turkmenistan might costs double than purchased from Iran. He said that the fertilizer industry is worst affecting due to shortage of the gas.
Chaudhary also informed the committee that gas supply of about 370 defaulters was disconnected during last two months whereas Rs four billion were recovered with 48 days .
Regarding recent shortage of petroleum in the country , secretary said that PSO had stuffiest quantity of petrol however the crises came to surface after the small companies increased their reserve stock. He said that at present , Pakistan has ample petrol reserves for next 16 days. Four companies were suspended as they had not storing capacity of petrol .He was of the view that the energy crises could prevail in the country till the conclusion of circular debts.
The Chairman Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority(OGRA) told the committee that OGRA had issued licenses and gas connections to some 540 CNG stations during 2009 to 2011 illegally inspite of ban imposed by the government. The committee recommend to take strict punitive action against those who were involved in issuing no objection certificate to these CNG stations despite of ban.
The committee called all the MDs of gas companies in its next meeting , which would be held on 12 July
On the occasion the high ups of OGDCL told the standing committee that the oil exploration project at Paski in Sindh province would be completed by 2013, from which 284 million cubic feet per day gas , 380 ton LPG and 4400 barrel oil would be obtained.