ISLAMABAD: The Sui-Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) has sought an increase of Rs 13.16 per million cubic British thermal units (mmbtu), while Sui-Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has sought increase of Rs 8.87 per mmbtu in consumer gas prices for financial year 2012-13, effective from July 1, 2012. Both companies recently submitted applications to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) in this connection.
According to sources in Ogra, both the gas utilities have also requested the Authority for allowing them to charge the gas consumers Rs 29 billion on account 'unaccounted for gas' (UFG). SNGPL has submitted application with the Ogra seeking increase of Rs 13.16 per mmbtu in gas tariff from July 1, 2012, and SSGC has sought increase of Rs 8.87 per mmbtu in tariff for consumers.
Despite the fact that SNGPL has shifted the burden of UfG on gas consumers, the company has an estimated loss of Rs 6.5 billion. SNGPL will also suffer a loss of Rs 5.7 billion on installing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) air mix plant. The company has requested Ogra to allow it to include these charges in consumers' bills so that the company could install the plant, in time. If the Authority approves gas tariff increase for SNGPL, it would generate additional Rs 7.87 billion. The company is expecting that its income during the year would remain at around Rs 264 billion, out of which Rs 214 billion would be generated through gas sale, and Rs 50 billion through other sources. The company would spend Rs 242 million on provision of gas to new regions.
SSGC has estimated to generate Rs 3.3 billion, if Ogra allows it to jack up gas tariff by Rs 8.87 per mmbtu. The company would sell gas worth Rs 156 billion. It has also estimated that it would get Rs 2.17 billion by transporting imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) to other areas of the country, and Rs 2.072 billion from JJVL. The company's total revenues would be 162.7 billion, out of which Rs 131 billion would be from sale of gas. SSGC has estimated UFG lose at Rs 1.38 billion; Rs 11.42 billion would be spent on transmission and distribution; and it would require Rs 248 million for installation of LPG-air mix plant.