Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Monday blamed the federal government for not giving No-Objection Certificate (NoC) to gas companies that have discovered six different locations of gas reservoirs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Addressing a gathering in Matni, Khan said that according to KP Oil and Gas Development Corporation Limited (KPOGDCL) officials, Hycarbex of America is looking forward to invest $100 million in oil and gas exploration but the federal government has been reluctant in giving permission to them for starting work.
Imran Khan said that instead of investing Rs 200 billion on Orange Line project, the federal government should direct investments towards exploration and production of oil and gas reservoirs in KP.
KPOGDCL officials while updating Imran Khan on the developments said that the KP government has made serious efforts to create an atmosphere that can draw attention of foreign businesses and international oil exploration companies to the province.
Oil production in two years has increased from 30,000 to 50,000 barrels per day. Gas production has increased from 333 to 400 million cubic feet per day while LPG production from 10 tons per day to 510 tons per day, the officials said.
Out of 21 Petroleum Concession Blocks only three were active in 2013 whereas 20 blocks are being opened for work in 2016.
However, the province still faces as much as 18 hours of gas load shedding. Whereas KP’s major share in electricity generation does not benefit the province as well.
Looks like Center is settling Dharna Score with PTI. Not granting NOC will lead to tug-of-War between KP and Center which will create lot of other problems. Extending the exploration will provide jobs to many and will add to National Production. Hope reason will prevail.
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