SNGPL making efforts towards reducing gas losses: news item clarified

Refer to news item published in the Daily Business Recorder Lahore on July 17, regarding 410 Mmcfd gas loss by both gas utilities companies that is sufficient to generate 2,050 MW of electricity. In this context, we would like to clarify that in spite of all odds, the company is making all out efforts to reduce gas losses.
During the current year, 484 industrial, 6,172 Commercial and 11,972 domestic consumers have been charged against gas theft against which 7,506 Mmcf of theft volume is booked. In addition 1,422 illegal networks have been identified and disconnected having a volumetric impact of 10,200 Mmcf feeding gas to approximately 98,000 consumers. After amendment in PPC against Gas Theft Act in December, 2011, more than 250 FIR have been lodged at different Police Stations across Northern Regions which further elaborate our efforts in combating against gas losses.
The rapid growing distribution network and shortage of gas has on the other hand making the UFG reduction target stiffer. Restriction on commercial and industrial and limiting the new domestic connection has paid a negative impact on gas losses. The underground network which is being catholically protected through electricity has been badly suffered due to electric power shortage which has subsequently increased the intensity of underground leakages. The news item has also quoted the example of Titas Company of Bangladesh which has reduced the gas losses from 7.06 percent to 0.81 percent within the space of four years.
The reference of Bangladesh Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGDCL) cannot be compared with SNGPL's. We give below the following facts for the purpose of comparison, as of June 2011. The above table clearly speaks about the facts. The network of SNGPL is 7.7 times larger than TGTDCL and is more prone to leakages. The number of domestic consumers of TGTDCL is less than SNGPL whereas Captive, and Power Units are on much higher side as a result of which their bulk sale is much higher than retail sale.
Hence, Titas gas cannot be compared with SNGPL on the following grounds: Billing of domestic consumes is carried out on fixed rate per appliance. If the SNGPL is allowed / directed to bill the domestic consumers in line with Titas gas, UFG of the company would reduce substantially.
The tariff of domestic consumes is the highest as compared to the other sectors. Without any discrimination, they reduce gas pressure of domestic consumers to discourage the usage of gas from 0800 hours to 1700 hours daily. Similarly, their CNG stations remain close from 1700 hours to 2400 hours daily. Their law enforcement agencies are fully co-operative with the gas companies. Gas company has a legal power to evaluate appliances of any domestic consumer and to take punitive action, if someone found violating agreement.

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Description                TGTDCL,         SNGP

                         Bangladesh    Pakistan

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Network Transmission       12,153        89,638

and Distribution (Km)

Consumers (No)

Domestic                1,546,394     3,901,867

Captive Power               1,043           323

Power Units                    40            14

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