ISLAMABAD: The Exploration and Production (E&P) companies, in a remarkableprogress, have made 13 oil and gas discoveries in the different parts ofthe country during the last four months.
“As per the initial assessment, the new finds’ overall rate of gas flow isaround 105.18 MMCFD (million cubic feet per day) and 5358 bbl (barrels) oilper day,” official sources in Petroleum and Natural Resources Division ofthe Energy Ministry told APP here Thursday.
The sources said that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government was makingall-out efforts to step up oil and gas exploration activities in potentialareas to achieve self-sufficiency in the energy sector.
Answering a question, they said the federal cabinet had approved thesummary to provide subsidized gas to zero-rated industry, adding that thegovernment will give about Rs 25.75 billion subsidy on this account.
The official sources said fertilizer industry would also be given subsidyso that the price of this important commodity could remain within the reachof common farmers.
To another question, the sources said that due to steps taken by thegovernment, the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder had droppeddown from Rs 16,00 to Rs 14,00 in the open market for domestic consumers.
They said provincial governments have powers to implement the announcedprice of the LPG product. “We have decreased the GST and regulatory duty onthe LPG because we considered, the commodity is being used by the commonman.”
In reply to a question, they said presently domestic and commercial gasusers are the top priority of the government.
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Responding to another question, the sources of the Ministry assured thatall the ongoing gas schemes would be completed for benefit of the commonman.
They said the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority had given permission to gascompanies to issue 0.3 million gas connections for the current yearsagainst the demand of 0.6 million.
Commenting on Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline,the sources said the government was pursuing the project as it is moreviable and inexpensive as compared to import of Liquefied Natural Gas.
They added, the board of directors of all the companies, operating underthe Petroleum Division, would be reconstituted by hiring professionals toimprove their efficiency.
About setting up of LPG-Air mix plants, they said the project had not beendropped as the PTI government was committed to establishing the plants infar-flung areas where both state companies, SSGCL and SNGPL, transmissionnetwork does not exist.
“The plants will be installed in the areas of KPK, Azad Jammu Kashmir andGilgit-Baltistan,” the sources added. – APP
