Energy-hungry Pakistan is about to join the LNG importing nations club with the arrival of the first tanker carrying a cargo of the chilled fuel this week.
“ The vessel is being loaded in Ras Laffan and is expected on March 26/27 ,” Sheikh Imran-ul-Haque, Chief Executive Officer of Engro Elengy Terminal Limited told LNG World News in an interview.
Engro Elengy is the operator of Pakistan’s first LNG import terminal located at Port of Qasim, with the capacity for regasification of up to 4.5 million tons of LNG per year.
The fuel will be supplied to the state-owned Sui Southern Gas Company’s gas distribution network via a new high-pressure pipeline.
According to Haque, Pakistan is still in talks with the world’s largest LNG producer Qatar, even tough local media has reported that a contract has already been signed.
He also said that the country is negotiating a possible deal with Petronas and Chinese companies.
Pakistan heavily relies on imports of conventional fuels to fire its power stations. “ LNG is much more environmentally friendly when compared to heavy oil or coal. In addition , it will be used to generate power instead of the expensive oils and will result in lower cost of generation, ” Haque said.
Haque also said that use of the chilled gas in transport is a viable option since the country has one of the largest NGV fleets in the world.
“ The CNG users should see its availability soon. GOP has already facilitated them through policy changes and targeted availability of CNG at 20-30% lower than gasoline .”
Asked about the company’s focus on the future, Haque said: “ Expansion in capacity to handle larger volumes of LNG with ability to transport via trucks will be our focus, and we also want to be an aggregator of volumes as usage increases. ”
LNG World News Staff