The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) is currently facing gas shortfall of 550 mmcfd, which may reach 750 mmcfd in January, 2012, and four-day gas load management plan for industry would be implemented till January end while gas supply to fertiliser plants would be restored after February.
SNGPL Managing Director Arif Hameed told Business Recorder that a present, SNGPL had 1900 mmcfd in its system, "but actually, we got 1870 mmcfd because of some technical problems" in the system. "Domestic sector is our priority, and we are trying our best to provide gas to the domestic consumers," he added.
About Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, he said that the route of the pipeline has already been finalised. "However, the process in underway to finalise design of the project." Regarding Pakistan-Turkmenistan-India (Tapi) gas pipeline project via Afghanistan, he said that the rate of gas has already been decided and an MoU has been signed in this regard.
About any likely move by SNGPL for closure of CNG stations in January and February, Hameed said he was not aware of any such move. "We follow the gas allocation policy of the government," he added. According to him, the SNGPL's board had approved installation of 1350 latest telemetry and surveillance system for suspected industrial units and CNG stations.
This system would be operated through a 'control room', and no employee would be able to open the system unless it is cleared by main control room, he said, adding that "tender has been floated for installation of this system". He said that earlier 1250 telemeter systems had been installed on CNG stations. "We would enhance our capability with latest technology as soon as we find some problem in the old system," the MD said.
About UFG he said it is very difficult to control gas theft as it was three percent last year, "and we have checked the gas pilferage to a great extent". He added that company engineers and staff are working hard to stop gas theft. About low pressure of gas, he said that pressure pockets are changed every year and new pipes are installed, replacing old ones. to bridge the gap. Low pressure is experienced mainly in the commercial and semi-commercial areas, he added.
Regarding this issue in urban areas, he said, the problem arises due to CNG stations, especially in the areas of Gulberg, Faisal Town, Model Town, and M M Alam Road where there are gas lines for domestic users ,but now due to CNG stations, the people are suffering. He said that when CNG stations put on their compressors at 6 am, the pressure jumps from 450 mmcfd to 750 mmccfd.
The SNGPL Managing Director said that domestic consumers use compressors for sucking the gas, which is a very dangerous activity, and media should highlight the dangerous implication of this activity. About providing gas to the CNG buses in Punjab he said that the company had told the Punjab government that it does not have gas, but they approach the federal government. He said that he does not have the powers to allow them to have CNG station for the buses imported by the Punjab government because there is a ban on CNG stations and it can only be lifted by Prime Minister.
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