Awaran plant almost ready

Pakistan’s two gas distribution companies Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) are set to build as many as 60 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) air mix plants in Pakistan.  The objective is that the gas should be supplied to the areas which are denied of the availability of natural gas.

The decision was followed by an approval of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) which gave the go ahead for setting up LPG-air mix plants at Murree (Kurbagla, Dewal, Company Bagh and Tret), Awaran and Bella. The total cost has been estimated at Rs1,353.29 million which the gas companies will spend from their own resources.

The companies would set up 30 more air mix plants each on their respective transmission network in the areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan and backward areas of Balochistan. The setting up of the LPG-air mix plants would save these areas from the rapid deforestation in these areas.

Along with the gas companies, private sector has also been allowed to establish their own LPG-air mix plants for housing colonies provided they fulfill all codal formalities required for the purpose.

All Pakistan LPG Distributors Association has appreciated the government for approving setting up of LPG-air mix plants in different parts of the country.

Lightweight CNG cylinders

All Pakistan Compressed Natural Gas Association (APCNGA) has decided the import of new lightweight 22kg CNG cylinders and compatible kits. The association will apply with Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) for the approval.

APCNGA Chairman Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said samples were arriving from European countries and South America, which would be submitted before technical experts of OGRA for evaluation and getting approval for import of the CNG cylinders and kits in next 20 to 25 days.

The price of lightweight environment-friendly CNG cylinders and supporting kits would be determined after their samples are cleared. He is confident that a new technology will be available in country’s markets in next three to four months.

The chairman said that a number of international entrepreneurs were contacting APCNGA and showing keen interest to invest after seeing potential in CNG sector of the country.

In 2012, Pakistan was on top among CNG-user countries with 3.7 million CNG-run vehicles. He said the lightweight cylinders would have the same eight kilograms CNG filling capacity as of the old 60 kg CNG cylinders, adding that the new technology would be easy in handling and useful in fuel consumption.

“It will be cost-effective as compared to the increased prices of vehicles,”
he said.

The association is in negotiations with different foreign companies, including those from Italy and Argentine for importing the new technology and launching in Pakistani markets.

Awaran plant

Awaran almost online Households in the remote Awaran district of Balochistan are set to receive gas supply at an estimated cost of Rs.440 million, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) announced on October 9.

SSGC will commission a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-air mix plant in the district to produce gas intended for the residents.

“We have done our part of fabricating work, including pipeline connections to the households (from the point of air mix plant),”

an SSGC official said.

“Hopefully, the project will start providing gas to the households within a month or two,”

he said with the usual hint of uncertainty.

The gas utility will supply LPG to the plant via trucks (bowsers). The plant will mix air with the LPG to make it usable in the households. The company has been transmitting gas to Gwadar in Balochistan through this technology and has established two LPG-air mix plants in Noshki and Surab in Balochistan and one in Mirpurkhas, Sindh, the official added.

SSGC was developing the Awaran project from its own resources, he said, adding it was one of the 60 projects to be set up nationwide.

“Once commissioned, the Awaran LPG-air mix or synthetic natural gas (SNG) plant will provide benefit to 800 households by handling 100 million British thermal units per hour (2 mmcfd) of SNG,”

a statement issued by SSGC said.

In 2013, during an official visit to Awaran, the then prime minister announced the installation of SNG plants in various locations of Balochistan including Awaran as part of the government’s plan to supply SNG to areas far away from the distribution grid.

“The project was billed as the highest priority LPG-air mix scheme,”

the statement added.

Despite numerous challenges, SSGC and outsourced contractors have been implementing the project with determination, though its location is in one of the most under-privileged areas of Balochistan and the rocky terrain. The supply of SNG to Awaran will help raise people’s living standards by providing affordable fuel to the domestic sector and will also open new vistas for commercial activities. It would also assist in tackling deforestation in the area as well as discouraging relocation of locals in search of better prospects, it said.