ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has secured another liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from Qatar following diplomatic engagement reportedly involving Iranian officials, with the shipment having crossed the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and expected to reach Port Qasim within days, officials said.
The latest shipment is Pakistan’s second Qatari LNG cargo this month and is expected to provide temporary relief to the power sector amid ongoing gas supply constraints and prolonged loadshedding in parts of the country.
A Petroleum Division official told The News that the LNG cargo had successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz.
Second Qatari LNG cargo secured
Pakistan received its first Qatari LNG shipment of September on September 10, when the carrier Al Marrouna arrived at Port Qasim carrying around 81,936 metric tonnes of LNG from Qatar’s Ras Laffan terminal.
The vessel had crossed the Strait of Hormuz on September 7 under the government-to-government LNG agreement between Pakistan and Qatar.
Officials said the latest cargo was secured at a price equivalent to 13.37% of Brent. The additional gas is expected to support power generation temporarily as parts of the country face between six and 12 hours of loadshedding.
Gas supply remains under pressure
Pakistan continues to closely monitor gas availability across its transmission network amid disruptions affecting several domestic gas fields.
Data for September 21 showed line-pack at 4,792 million cubic feet (MMcf), while the power sector was consuming around 208 MMcf per day of gas.
Gas consumption by the fertiliser sector remained unchanged at 89 MMcf per day.
Pakistan receives much-needed LNG as Qatari cargo docks at Karachi port
Meanwhile, domestic gas production has faced several disruptions.
Raw gas supplies from the Qadirpur field to Liberty Power have remained suspended since 10:55am on September 17 because of non-payment.
Gas input from MEL’s GTH plant was reduced by 37 MMcf per day on September 20 due to its annual turnaround. The plant is currently supplying 52 MMcf per day.
The Nashpa plant reported an 83 MMcf per day reduction following an issue at the facility, leaving its current input at 83 MMcf per day.
Gas input from MOL’s CPF was also reduced by 158 MMcf per day because of an operational problem, with current input reported at 154 MMcf per day.
No forced curtailment on SNGPL network
Despite the disruptions, officials said there is currently no forced curtailment of gas from any source on the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) network.
The additional Qatari LNG cargo is therefore expected to provide short-term support to the power sector while domestic gas supply challenges continue to affect the country’s energy system.
