Pakistan Plans to Import 50% More LNG in 2015-16

Pakistan plans to increase LNG imports from 400 MMCFD to 600 MMCFD in 2015-16 as per the annual plan, reported Business Recorder newspaper.

A pipeline to transport the LNG will be constructed by the Sui-Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) which is expected to be completed by the end of 2016. The government also plans to build additional LNG terminals.  

Pakistan has been facing severe gas shortage due to increasing demand for electricity from households as well as industrial consumers. To fill the gap, the South Asian nation is trying to source gas from various sources.  

Recently, Qatar sold its first LNG cargo to Pakistan State Oil Company Limited (PSO). This is the first LNG agreement between Qatar and Pakistan and the first ever LNG import deal for any entity in Pakistan.

Last month, PSO launched its first tender for supply of LNG. In the tender notice published on its website, the state owned firm said that it is looking to buy four cargoes of LNG of 143,000 cubic metres each during the period June to September.