The Senate was informed on Friday that daily production of raw gas in the country at present is 4273 million cubic feet per day against the demand of 5416 MMCFD.
Advisor for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr. Asim Hussain told the House during question hour that currently 132 exploration licenses for exploration of oil and gas reservoirs are being operated by various exploration and production companies. He said that 60 blocks for exploration of oil and gas reservoirs have been advertised for award of exploration licenses on competitive terms.
For fiscal year 2012-13 44 exploration wells have been planned for exploration of oil and gas reserves, he said. Dr Hussain said that Council of Common Interest has approved ‘Tight Gas Exploration Policy‚ 2011′ which offers forty to fifty percent premium over the respective zonal price of Petroleum Policy 2009. He added that Economic Coordination Committee has approved Low BTU Gas Pricing Policy 2012 wherein additional incentives have been in cooperated to develop Low BTU fields as soon as possible. He further said that for offshore exploration fourteen exploration licenses have awarded for exploration of oil and gas reservoirs.
He said that the government is taking a number of steps to overcome the shortage of sui gas in the country including enhancement of indigenous gas production‚ import of LNG and promotion of LPG air mix. Replying to a question he said that “it is Prime Minister’s prerogative to announce the supply of gas to any area”.
Moreover, leader of the House Jahangir Badar presented before the House Annual Report for the year 2011-12 of the Central Board of Directors of State Bank of Pakistan on the state of Pakistan’s Economy. Law Minister Farooq H. Naek introduced before the House “The Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan 24th (Amendment) Bill‚ 2013”.
The chair referred the bill to the Standing Committee concerned.