Punjab and NWFP gas load management: no supply to CNG stations from 8am to 8pm

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) on Tuesday mapped out a new gas curtailment plan that contained suspension of gas supply to CNG stations from Monday (8am to 8pm) in urban areas of Punjab and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
This new directive is against the decision of federal cabinet that had directed to close CNG stations for two days on rotational basis. The SNGPL has authorised its regions to devise the gas curtailment plan for the CNG sector taking into account local requirements. Initially Lahore and Islamabad regions of SNGPL have already issued notices to the CNG stations located in and around these urban centres to convert the gas curtailment plan from the two days off to twelve hours off daily.
"Due to the recent cold spell in Punjab and the NWFP the shortfall in the SNGPL system has increased up to 375 mmcfd, whereas the demand has crossed 2,250 mmcfd and the supply is limited to 1,925 mmcfd," a SNGPL official said.
The official said the decision had been taken after receiving numerous low pressure complaints from the domestic consumers. Most of the CNG stations are located on main roads, whereas the residential colonies receive gas from smaller supply lines, which reduces gas pressure to domestic consumers and ovens (Tandoors). The consumers were facing serious problems even in cooking due to low pressure.
"The main load problem arises due to domestic heaters and geysers," said an SNGPL official, adding that the situation could get worse if there is rain. "The temperature drops to sub zero level in parts of Northern Punjab and NWFP at times after rains which increases gas demand for heating," the officials said. According to the SNGPL authorities, the decision has been taken to facilitate the domestic consumers.
In the meetings with the SNGPL authorities in Lahore and Islamabad, CNG Association strongly protested against the decision. All Pakistan CNG Association (APCA) has rejected the new load management plan saying that it was also a violation of the Cabinet decision that allowed CNG stations closure for two days.