KARACHI: At the outset it must be noted that SSGC is continuously experiencing gas shortages due to the yearly depletion of indigenous gas reservoirs. It is a pertinent fact that SSGC’s gas supplies have been reduced by 40% since FY 2017–18. The table (below) shows around 465 mmcfd of gas depletion recorded during the past seven years. Given below are Year-wise gas supplies and Depletion Rates:
According to the load management plan approved by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), Government of Pakistan, domestic, commercial and general industrial sectors have been given the top most priority.
It must be reiterated that there is no gas load shedding in SSGC’s franchise areas, particularly in the domestic sector. However, as part of the gas load management strategy (as per internationally implemented practices) a night-time gas closure / pressure profiling from 10:00 pm to 05:00 am is being executed in the domestic sector to maintain the Company’s line-packs for a good gas pressure during the subsequent day and for managing /consuming the saved volumes of indigenous natural gas to be utilized during the peak / cooking hours.
As explained above, in the depleting indigenous gas scenario, SSGC is continuously striving hard to supply optimum required volumes of gas especially during the cooking hours, to its domestic consumers, including those located at the tail-end of its distribution network.
It is pertinent to add here that in Balochistan, during the winter season, demand for natural gas increases manifolds where besides cooking, natural gas is widely used for surface heating to protect from harsh weather, characterized by sub-zero temperatures. In order to meet the enhanced demand for natural gas in Balochistan, SSGC makes all efforts to supply sufficient volumes to the province.
In order to improve the quality of services and to address the issues of low gas pressure and increased vulnerability to gas leaks, SSGC has undertaken an extensive rehabilitation program across its entire franchise areas, while prioritizing older networks situated at the tail-end of the distribution network.
During the last two years, SSGC has completed rehabilitation of over 2,200kms of distribution networks in the cities of Thul, Shahdadkot, Sakrand, Dera Bugti and various colonies of Karachi. Looking ahead, SSGC is actively working towards rehabilitation of 4,500kms of distribution pipeline network during the next three years. This initiative aims to resolve low-pressure issues, particularly in the tail-end areas.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024
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