Depleting gas reserves not enough to meet winter demand, Senate told

ISLAMABAD: Federal Energy Minister Omer Ayub Khan said on Thursday that the country was going to face gas shortage in the upcoming winter as domestic consumption has increased manifold due to the excessive use of room and water heaters.

Responding to a question of Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi, the minister said gas load management was imperative during the winter season as indigenous gas sources were continuously depleting and cannot meet the winter demand.

“The domestic demand goes up by three times in Sui Northern Gas Pipeline’s system, while it doubles in the Sui Southern Gas Company’s system during December and January,” he said. “Both the Sui companies have been directed to ensure smooth gas supply to all categories of consumers on their network, especially to high priority domestic consumers.”

He said in the SNGPL network, enhanced demand of domestic sector would be met through diversion of Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) to domestic consumers.

“During the peak winter months, some sectors may face load shedding,” he said, adding that in order to meet the demand of the domestic and other customers on SSGC network, some sectors, including CNG and captive power of general industry, may face gas load curtailments.”

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