Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the Mehar gas processing plant which will produce 30 million cubic feet gas and 3,300 condensate barrels per day.
Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Defence, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Minister for Petroleum, Jaap Hujskes, Board Member of OMV, Erwin Kroell, SVP Middle East and Caspian Region, and HE Axel Welch, Austrian Ambassador, were also present during the inauguration ceremony.
The prime minister admired the team of OMV and its joint venture partners – GHPL, OPL and Zaver Petroleum for their commitment, resolve and hard work in achieving successful completion and commissioning of Mehar Gas Plant. “It is encouraging to know that OMV has been immensely contributing to the oil and gas sector of Pakistan, since commencement of its operations in 1990,” the PM added.
“I also appreciate that OMV has undertaken a number of initiatives focusing on community education and health through several community development schemes for the population in and around the areas of its concessions. These community development schemes provide quality education and health facilities to the population of Mehar area and provide employment opportunities for the local youth,” the PM said.
The prime minister assured that the government of Pakistan was committed to provide secure and peaceful working environment for unhindered oil and gas exploration activities in the country. “Supply of indigenous gas is the major component of our total energy mix and mainstay of our economy. Indigenous gas saves Pakistan billions of dollars in foreign exchange as it constitutes about 50 per cent of our energy mix. I am also pleased to know that Pakistan is going to achieve production of over 100,000 barrels of oil per day by the end of this year,” the PM further said.
“We invite OMV and other international companies to come forward and take advantage of our business friendly policies.” PM said. Earlier the PM was briefed that on the commissioning of 2nd Phase of Mehar Gas Plant Facilities, production of gas will rise to 80 million cubic feet gas per day and condensate production will be enhanced to 8,800 barrels per day. LPG production will be up to 170 tons per day. Both the Phases of Mehar gas field have cost around US $ 440 million.