Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has determined Rs 22 per Million British Thermal Unit (mmbtu) or 8.75 percent reduction in gas tariff effective July 1, 2009. Ogra has submitted its determination to the Petroleum and Natural Resources Ministry. The Petroleum Ministry after evaluation of Ogra determination will notify the reduction in gas tariff rates for consumers, sources said.
According to Ogra Ordinance 2002, federal government is to notify the gas price within 40 days after the decision of Ogra. The Petroleum Ministry is still to receive the decision about Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL), sources said. SNGPL in its petition had sought reduction in gas tariff by 8.75 percent (Rs 22 per mmbtu) in line with the reduction in oil price in international market effective July 1, 2009.
Ogra had held public hearing on April 17 on SNGPL petition to reduce the gas price. After conducting hearing, Ogra scrutinised all costs with the help of a team of professionals and experts to announce the decision.
The team of SNGPL made a detailed presentation during the public hearing and had explained the rationale of the estimates of the capital and revenue expenditure for the financial year 2009-10. The government had announced 7 percent average gas tariff increase effective January 1, 2009. The government had distributed the approved gas tariff increase among the different consumers that ranged between 5-17 percent.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2009

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