No need to import oil and gas from other countries: Imran Khan
Gas companies have discovered six different locations of gas reservioirs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Dunya News Report (Jibran Dost)
PESHAWAR: Talking to the media on the inauguration ceremony of a gas reservoir in Mattni area of Peshawar, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has blamed the federal government for not giving No-Objection Certificate (NoC) to gas companies that have discovered six different locations of gas reservioirs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
According to KP Oil and Gas Development Corporation Limited (KPOGDCL) officials, the company Hycarbex of America is looking forward to invest $ 100 million in oil and gas exploration, but the government has been reluctant in giving permission for starting work.
American companies that are ready to invest in oil and gas exploration are facing hindrance because the federal government is not issuing NoC which is creating an obstacle in the process of boosting the economy of the province.
In contrast, Imran Khan on the occasion stated that instead of investing Rs 200 billion on Orange Line project, the federal government should direct investments towards exploration and production of oil and gas reservoirs in KP.
Chairman PTI was accompanied by KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, senior PTI leader Jehangir Tareen, provincial ministers and representatives of the American company.
On the other hand, KPOGDCL officials while updating the PTI chief Imran Khan on the developments expressed that KP has rich sources of oil and gas. The KP government has made serious efforts to create an atmosphere that can draw attention of foreign businesses and international oil exploration companies to the province.
Oil production in two years has increased from 30,000 to 50,000 barrels per day. Gas production has increased from 333 to 400 million cubic feet per day while LPG production from 10 tons per day to 510 tons per day, the officials said.
Out of 21 Petroleum Concession Blocks only three were active in 2013 whereas 20 blocks are being opened for work in 2016.
However, the province still faces as much as 18 hours of gas load shedding. Whereas KP’s major share in electricity generation does not benefit the province as well.
On the other side, Federal Petroleum Minister expressed that gas shortage in the country has grown up to 40 per cent of the total demand. Federal Minister Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi stated that this year’s crisis is worse than last year’s. Sui Northern Gas Pipelines and Sui Southern Gas Company are unable to fill the gap between the supply and demand. He also added that the government is not in a position to solve the problem.
Severe gas crisis has spread across the country, where Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are facing a shortfall of 200 million cubic feet a day.
In response, the government has decided to take the decision of dedicating all gas production in provinces towards domestic consumers.
According to petroleum minister, the crisis will be over next year as imported LNG from Qatar will fulfil the gap. However, the LNG deal with Qatar is already under questions over their share amongst provinces.
