Govt forms Task Force to process LNG imports

While forming a task force for swift implementation of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) imports, Petroleum Minister Dr. Asim Hussain on Tuesday assured that a level playing field will be provided to all LNG suppliers to meet the rising energy requirements of the country.
He said this while chairing a meeting in which LNG import issues were discussed including issues relating to pipeline system, pricing and minimization of wastage. The meeting decided to establish a task force as part of the government incentive in the LNG Policy 2006, to act as a “one-stop-shop” to address all issues concerning LNG import projects, including the interpretation of policies and regulations.
The committee would be headed by Secretary Petroleum, while other members will include Additional Secretary of Finance, Defence, Industries, Production, Ports and Shipping Divisions, a representative of OGRA, Member Customs FBR, Chairman of the concerned seaport authority, Director Generals of the concerned EPA, Coast Guards and Maritime Security Agency and Commander Karachi or COMCOAST Gwadar.
It was decided that LNG importers would be facilitated under the one window operation concept and comprehensive facilities would be provided on first come first serve basis. The bidders would be allowed to participate in partnerships. Successful bidders would have to find LNG buyers by themselves, however, the government would provide facilitation.
The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) received tremendous response from local and international suppliers to its invitation for the import of LNG under third party access.
A total of 17 expressions of interest (EoIs) were received for the allocation of capacity under its transmission system from leading companies. Interested companies can develope their own LNG Floating Storage and Re-gasification Unit (FSRU), arrange their own supply of LNG and have their own buyers of re-gasified LNG (RLNG) which may also include the gas utility companies. It is important to mention that the government plans to expedite the LNG import process to start import of 500 million tones of LNG by the middle of next year to meet its rising energy demands. The meeting was attended by Secretary Petroleum, Managing Director Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), representatives of Port Qasim Authority, Federal Board of Revenue and senior officers of the ministry.