Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday directed to fast-track the issuance of licenses for domestic exploration of gas, which is the cheapest source of natural gas.
Chairing a meeting in Islamabad regarding the gas situation in the country, the premier also directed the concerned departments to remove hurdles in process of installation of new Liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and virtual pipeline projects by investors.
The meeting was briefed about the demand, supply from the domestic reserves, shortfall and import of the LNG.
It was informed that the current constrained demand of gas in the country is 4700 Million Standard Cubic Feet per day, which increases to 6000-6500 MMCFD during the winter season.
The current domestic supply amounts to 3300 MMCFD, which is decreasing every year. The resulting shortfall has to be managed by importing LNG.
“For short term, the existing capacity of domestic terminals is being optimized and the process of issuance of virtual pipeline licenses is expedited,” the meeting was informed.
In addition, the installation of two new LNG terminals is underway with all bottlenecks being removed on priority basis.
In this regard Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Petroleum and OGRA were directed to coordinate and also take all other stakeholders on board including the investors.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, while emphasizing the importance of North-South Gas Pipeline, directed to ensure its execution without further delay in the agreed timelines.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers including Shaukat Tarin, Hammad Azhar, Asad Umar, Ali Haider Zaidi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Mahmood Maulvi and officials of the concerned departments.