Petroleum Division seeks ECC go-ahead to revive shelved gas pipeline projects

ISLAMABAD: To resuscitate shelved multibillion-dollar gas pipeline projects, the Petroleum Division is approaching the government for approval of an integrated strategy in this regard.

According to sources, the Petroleum Division will table three options before the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) to determine the destiny of previously shelved gas pipeline projects, reports an English daily.

The first option seeks the ECC go-ahead for the revival of Gwadar-Nawabshah LNG terminal and Pipeline project under the aegis of the integrated plan for gas infrastructure and import.

This project is going to provide the facilities for liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies. Additionally, this may be elongated to the Iranian border in future for gas purchases from it.

And the second option, the Petroleum Division wants the ECC go-ahead for phase-wise capacity utilization of North-South gas pipeline project contingent upon it being regarded a standalone project, which will be attached with forthcoming private-sector LNG terminals at Karachi port under third-party access rules.

And the final option will see the Petroleum Division is going to ask the ECC to either adjourn or drop the North-South gas pipeline project.