Natural Gas is the lightest and cleanest of hydrocarbon fuels. It is primarily composed of methane and has high-energy value and low carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOX) emission when burnt as compared to any other fossil fuels. In addition, sulphur dioxide emissions, another major air pollutant, are almost non-existent in natural gas exhaust.
Natural gas is therefore the preferred fuel for environmental and operational reasons, seen as greenhouse solution, and iss also termed as "Clean Fuel" Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) is Pakistan's leading integrated gas utility responsible for the transmission and distribution of natural gas besides construction of high-pressure transmission and low-pressure distribution systems.
SSGC's existing gas transportation infrastructure consists of a network of 3,320 Km of high-pressure transmission pipeline; 62,600 horsepower of compression capacity and distribution network of approximately 34,282 Km. SSGC has launched a comprehensive strategy to conserve the forests and green land of Pakistan by setting up four LPG air mix plants in remote areas of Sindh and Baluchistan ie Gwadar, Kot Ghulam Muhammad, Noshki and Surab.
SSGC also owns and operates the only gas meter manufacturing facility in the country, having an annual production capacity of 600,000 meters. Health, Safety and Environment in SSGC SSGC is a socially responsible and environmentally friendly organisation. It endeavours to perform all its activities in a manner that protects people and property and preserves the environment. The core frame work of Safety and Health in SSGC consists of following five components;
1. HSE policy: That reflect commitment of the management to health and safety and to set clear aims and objectives. 2. Organising: Framework of roles and responsibilities for health and safety are allocated to individuals throughout the organisation from senior management to shop floor.
3. Planning and implementing: The detailed specification of health and safety standards are applied in all areas & aspect of natural gas transmission and distribution work .
4. Monitoring and review: monitoring performance by the use of active and reactive monitoring methods. Inspection, surveys, sampling, tours and environmental monitoring are active monitoring methods in SSGC while accident investigation and enforcement actions are examples of reactive methods in the organisation.
5. Auditing: Biannual internal and external audits are conducted to evaluate the efficiency, effectiveness and reliability of the total safety system in the organisation.
SSGC has developed and implemented HSE Management system since 2005 as per ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007 standards and main objectives are;
a) Preserve environment by reducing the outflow of effluent discharges, air emissions, solid and hazardous materials to environment.
b) Reduce wastage of materials ie Metals, paper, plastic etc.
c) Where possible Reuse, Recycle and Recover materials.
d) Conserve natural resources such as use of water, electricity, fuel, natural gas, etc.
e) Protect people and property and comply with legal requirements.
Customer Awareness Programs
Moreover, SSGC has a customer education program in which print, television and electronic media is used to guide the customers in the safe and efficient use of natural gas. These include advertisement in newspapers/ TV, posting Safety Tips on SSGC's web site (www.ssgc.com.pk), printing safety tips along with all SSGC's advertisements, public announcement using mobile vans, etc.