We need gas!

Advisor to Prime Minister on Petroleum & Natural Resources Dr. Asim Hussain has said Pakistan’s approach towards meeting energy requirements is of urgent nature and completion of mega gas projects including TAPI & IP is top priority.
He expressed these views while meeting the twelve member Russian delegation headed by Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Y.P. Sentyurin, who called on the Advisor on Thursday at Islamabad. Secretary Petroleum & Natural Resources Ejaz Chaudhry and senior officers of the Ministry were also present on the occasion.
Dr. Asim Hussain said the in-principle decision of Russian Federation regarding cooperation in TAPI and IP projects is highly appreciated.
He expressed confidence over bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Russia and welcomed interest shown by Russian Federation in TAPI and IP projects. Secretary Petroleum briefed the delegation on latest position of TAPI and IP pipeline projects and emphasized on expanding the bilateral treaty framework of cooperation in oil and gas sector. The delegation was informed that the Ministry had extensively worked on Shale and Tight Gas policies that would be of interest to the Russian Government. It was agreed between the two sides that details of the two-mega gas projects would be shared immediately and financial modalities would remain negotiable. Representatives of Russian companies including Gazprom EP and PJSC Stroytransgaz also briefed the Advisor to the Prime Minister on possible expertise that could be provided for the TAPI & IP projects.
It may be recalled that the twelve members’ Russian delegation is visiting Pakistan in connection with second meeting of the Russian Pakistani Joint Working Group on Energy Cooperation that is being held in Pakistan.

‘Gas shortfall may touch 6b bcfd by 2020’

The natural gas shortfall is expected to reach six billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) by 2020 which at present is around three billion. Secretary Petroleum, Muhammad Ejaz Chaudhry informed Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources Thursday that the ministry was making all-out efforts to deal with the looming gas shortage, but the country has limited resources. The meeting was further informed that this is the shortage which forced the government to curtail supply to industry and other sectors and added the planned import of gas would help decrease about two million bcfd of shortfall. He said the Ministry was adopting measures to enhance local production to meet the growing needs and added in spite of difficulties, it is tying to deliver in a better way. On the request of Dr. Asim Hussain, the Chairman postponed the meeting till July 9 to have briefing on Pakistan State Oil.