The Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet meeting, scheduled to be held today (Friday), is expected to approve allocation of additional gas supply from Mari Gas Field to Guddu thermal power station. Sources in the Finance Ministry said that a proposal to this effect is expected to be put up at the meeting of ECC scheduled to meet with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the chair.
They added that Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) operating nine exploration and production assets has recently discovered additional gas in Pirkoh. Approximately 6 mmscfd is projected to be available for an initial estimated period of 18 months as per test results and broad assessment of reservoirs'' size and potential. Subsequently, based on tests and studies, the reservoirs'' production potential can be determined for drawing up further gas supply commitment, they added.
Sources further stated that the Mari Gas Petroleum has requested Ministry of Petroleum that 6 mmscfd gas preferably be allocated to power or fertilizer sector for use as fuel. The supply commencement is subject to execution of Gas Sale Purchase Agreement term sheet with the buyer and its approval by Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra).
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Resources in a summary to the ECC is expected to propose that 6 mmscfd gas which will be available for an estimated period of 18 months, may be allocated to Thermal Power Station Guddu (TPSG) of Wapda being in the vicinity of MPCL''s field and capable to off-take the gas readily. Sources said that MGPCL) is operating with nine exploration and production assets, which include two Development & Production leases (Mari and Zarghum south), seven operated blocks and has partnership in six non-operated blocks.
Mari gas field producing around 623 mmscfd gas is located in district Ghotki, Sindh approximately 96 kilometres north of Sukkur. The gas discoveries have been encountered altogether in four shallow & deep gas reservoirs (Habib Rahi, Goru-B, Prikoh, Sui upper/Sui main). The current customers of gas from Mari field include Engro Fertilizer with 125 mmscfd from MPCL, Fauji Fertilizer 279 mmscfd, Fatima Fertilisers 110 mmscfd, Foundation Power 65 mmscfd and Wapda 44 mmscfd.