Gas production at Sui decreasing: PPL completes survey for exploration of deeper reserves

NAVEED BUTT & ABDUL RASHEED AZAD

ISLAMABAD: Asim Murtaza Khan, Managing Director, Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), has said that the production of natural gas at Sui in Balochistan is declining from 4 to 5 percent every year.

He said this while talking to Business Recorder after meeting of Standing Committee of the National Assembly, adding that the production of gas at Sui is decreasing every year, but new discovery sites are not being explored. He said that the PPL has completed 3-D seismic survey for exploration in Sui for deeper reserves.

“We have identified after the survey that there is more possibility of drilling for discovery of new gas reserves in the area of Sui,” he added.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination met with Mir Ahmedan Khan Bugti in the chair at Parliament House on Tuesday. The Committee discussed the status of jobs provision in the PPL, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) to the people of Dera Bugti/Sui on the recommendation of Standing Committee through Balochistan Package.

The meeting was held, specially to address the issue of 216 sacked contract/casual labourers by PPL, but the Committee could not resolve it.

Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, former Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Dr Donya Aziz, Syed Nasir Ali Shah, Qudsia Arshad, Secretary IPC Anisual Hasnain Musavi, Managing Director PPL Asim Murtaza Khan and other officials were also present in the meeting. Four affected employees of PPL Moghaam Khan Bugti President of Casual Labour Association and three sacked watchmen Ali Muhammad, Araiz Muhammad and Shahbaz were also present in the meeting.

Moghaam Khan Bugti told the Committee that 216 workers were serving in PPL for last 20-year but they were sacked in November 2010.

He said that the Managing Director (MD) PPL Asim Murtaza Khan did not reinstate 216 labourers despite directions by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, government of Balochistan and Mines and Mineral Development Department.

He said that in first phase 100 labourers out of 216 would be adjusted by creating position for them and rest would be adjusted in second phase.

PPL MD Asim Murtaza told the Committee while responding to the sacked employees that Sui field is depleting and at present unskilled workforce not required and further employment is eminent in near future. He said that he could not give assurance to the Committee for reappointment of these workers.

Raja Pervez Ashraf said that the officers on key posts are getting salaries from Rs 8 to 10 lakh, but they could not accommodate the poor workers.

He said that the Committee should decide today (Tuesday) about the fate of poor workers.

The Chairman said while adjourning the meeting that the issue of employees would be discussed in next meeting which would be held on March 19.