Exxon, Mitsubishi to start building LNG terminals this year

on 11/09/2020

Of the five, two multinational companies are reportedly set to start physical work on setting up Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals during the next few months.
Under its ease-of-doing-business strategy, the government had allowed five private sector companies to establish their LNG terminals in Pakistan.
Exxon Consortium and Mitsubishi are ready to start physical work on their projects before the end of the current year,” a senior official privy to petroleum sector developments told APP.
All agreements, permissions, and arrangements in that regard have almost been finalized, he added. After setting up the terminals, he said, the companies would import and sell the commodity on their own without any involvement of the government except regulation matters. Replying to a question, the official said a formula already existed under which the private sector could import LNG as per its requirements, get it injected into the existing gas transmission network and receive at industrial units.
The official said private sector companies including Exxon, Shell, and Mitsubishi besides Spanish and French firms were poised to establish LNG terminals in Pakistan, having the capacity to re-gasify 500-700 Million Cubic Feet per day (MMCFD) gas each, in Pakistan. These companies are considered the world leading players in the energy sector. He said the federal cabinet had cleared the private sector companies, adding “A terminal, as per international standard, takes almost two years to complete once its construction starts.”
Currently, the official said, two LNG terminals were operating at Port Qasim Karachi and injecting around 1,200 MMCFD gas in the distribution network of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited and Sui Southern Gas Company. Replying to a query, he said the previous government itself made LNG import contracts at exorbitant that involved billions of dollars financial commitments.
But, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was importing additional LNG at around 20 to 25 percent reduced rate for the last one-and-half years as compared to the old deals made by the previous regime.
He said the country’s existing natural gas reservoirs were depleting fast at a rate of 9.5 percent annually, and the LNG was the only available instant remedy to bridge the increased gap between demand and supply of the country. Currently, the country’s indigenous gas production is around 3.7 Billion Cubic Feet per Day against the demand of 6 BCFD. According to a recent report of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, the gap between demand and supply of gas could increase by 5,389 Million Cubic Feet per Day (MMCFD) by 2029-30.

You Are Responsible

on 11/09/2020

By Engr. Imran Anees

Recently, I happened to interview a GIS Analyst for some GIS work. I inquired about his approach to calculate a distance between two points with coordinates (x1, y1) and (x2,y2). He showed me ways through attribute tables, measuring tools, Google Earth, GPS and finally a formula: Width = Area / Length… that’s when it really struck me.
I’ve come across many other GIS Graduates and GIS Professionals criticizing the lack of job opportunities amid multi-billion dollar projects like CPEC, renewable Energy, Housing and other infra structure which are under execution in Pakistan. Another point of their debate focuses more specifically on their “GIS Skills” going unnoticed in this modern age of technology and tools.
So, what really is happening? Who is actually responsible here?
GIS started off when it was still an immature, not-very-user-friendly technology, and few people knew how to use it. Publishers and Academia supported early GIS developments. Steadily with time, and with the realization of “Data”, “GUI” and “Usability”, the scope of geospatial data manipulation and visualization flourished. Various organizations began supporting subsets of the GIS Profession. This article, which offers my perspective only, will hopefully provide some understanding of how GIS is treated and, perhaps, provoke some thought in those who began their careers with GIS as well.
Maybe we have lost sight of what actually is the need in the increasingly competitive nature of GIS and its advanced functionality. I may not question the potential and abilities of GIS professionals to address the challenges faced in the industry. I may not even speak for the recruiters and employers. I most certainly do not question the academia. However, I would definitely re-direct their attentions to critically assess themselves.
It seems proper to initiate with a self-analysis. My career jump started as a Survey Engineer, establishing control networks and topographic surveys using Trimble 4000 SSI DGPS. A vital part of myregular workflow was to overlay the survey data on a Landsat ETM Image. Obviously, this could be done by adding a Raster file (Layer Stacked TIFF Image) and processed survey data files (DXF points & polylines) in an ArcGIS document. On the contrary, at that time I was only proficient in AutoCAD and AutoCAD Customization using programming skills in AutoLISP and VBA.
I can still recall the overwhelming excitement the day when I got hold of ArcGIS 8.0 in a CD. The anxiety and giddiness just before installing it in my computer for the first time. The sensation of invincibility rising with the progress of installation whispering that I’ll soon be ready to take on the world. Finally when it was installed, the feeling of confidence skyrocketing like I’ve got this on lock now and nothing can stop me…and suddenly the immediate realization of a black hole …Readers who are proficient in CAD, can realize how difficult and challenging it is for a CAD user to comprehend the GIS environment!
I owe thanks to the magic of “F1”for opening windows of knowledge (standard help CHM files) and Yahoo search (Google was not born yet). I started to learn about ArcGIS. The Spatial Analysis, SQL queries on attribute tables, 3D analysis and cartographic layouts were so interesting, fascinating and motivating to probe more into GIS and this lead to a better understanding and grip on ArcGIS. I gained popularity, slow and steady, among colleagues and coworkers as a GIS Analyst / GIS Specialist.
I applied for the post of GIS Analyst in one of the top ranking Engineering Consulting Firms of Pakistan. This was somewhere back in 2006, and the job advertisement published in newspaper indicated a mandatory degree in GIS and remote sensing for the applicants. I had applied with the shortcoming of a GIS related degree. Surprisingly, I was shortlisted and called for an interview. I managed to get through the interviewers who acknowledged my skills of Geodetic Survey and the proficiency I had in GIS. I got the job with a tailor-fitted designation of a“GIS Engineer”. After 16 months of making ArcGIS layouts, digitization, attribute editing with tedious repetition and no further creative or innovative task at hand to challenge my own ability, I resigned.
With all the due regards, it is seen that monotonous work routines usually tend to create an environment of depression. At times, with office politics, this may even aggravate to frustration. This paves way to kill any initiative, cause a serious decline in the learning graph and eventually becomes obstructive for a flourishing career. When faced with similar circumstances, my priority is usually to clear the atmosphere. This precisely is the reason that lack of consistency exists as another trait in my resume. Nevertheless, a new era dawned after my resignation where I wasn’t limited as an ArcGIS User. I realized there was much more beyond ArcGIS.
Enough said, my initiation to GIS was in the golden age for GIS graduates. Many public and private organizations had started to implement GIS by creating spatial datasets, maintaining geodatabases and developing applications. Obviously, the demand for the ArcGIS users was so high as compared to computer science & IT professionals.
Graduates from space science, geography, mountain research, town planning and other departments were being offered jobs as GIS Analyst, GIS Specialist or a GIS Expert. GIS Education back then was limited to a semi major subject named as Introduction to GIS and Remote Sensing. The course contents of this subject were not beyond the basic understanding and interaction with industry leading products like ESRI, ArcGIS etc. Though not being taught the full range of GIS or remote sensing subjects, it was enough to pursue a career as GIS Professional in industry.
Initially candidates having ArcGIS software experience of 2 to 4 years were considered eligible.
With the passage of time, the eligibility criteria for GIS professionals changed. Hundreds of the GIS professionals were required to be recruited who may hold a Bachelor or a Master’s degree, along with ownership of an android mobile phone with GPS and at least 3.5 mega pixel camera. The advertisement snapshots below show the gradual changes in eligibility criteria as published in local newspapers.
It may be noted here that these jobs were not offered based on regular or long terms contracts rather these were very short term contracts for a couple of months. Apart from the short term contracts, the job description and responsibilities were limited to:
Digitizing the parcels from Google Earth Image
Data entry using Excel
Capturing photos of properties using Android phone
Entering attributes in an android app and editing.
Generating reports based on spatial queries
The above mentioned job description and responsibilities can be considered as a good start for a fresh GIS graduate. However, repeated continuation of such tasks for years gets you nowhere.
Definitely, projects like CPEC, infrastructure, studies regarding climatic change and other mega housing & town planning projects need professionals who can support and strengthen the engineers, architects, urban planners, geologists, hydrologists and geodetic survey professionals. But, let’s be practical here,the factual needs of the time are much more than parcel mapping, attribute editing or colorful layouts. Spatial data scientists & analysts are required nowadays who can work cordially with in various other but specific professional domains.
Property data collection using Android phones is realistically a non-technical task. I cannot consider this as the ultimate role of a GIS professional. GIS professionals should get into Geodetic Surveys where they can work with emerging technologies such as GNSS systems, Drones, 3D scanners, GPR and other latest equipment and software.
Geography is all about the relationships between the geometric objects surrounding us. A spatial sense can easily gather the geometry in everything and everywhere. CAD is a platform where geometry can be understood conceptually to utilize the full potential of GIS abilities. This opens avenues for GIS professionals in the engineering, architecture and construction industry.
3D modeling is again another vast field. It is not only for the graphic designers or CAD operators. There is a lot of stuff for GIS professionals to explore. Unity, Meshlab, Meshmixer, Blender, Revit, Fusion 360 and many more have the scope to indulge which is equally interesting, fascinating and mesmerizing to work.
Almost all degree programs include a course of programming or coding. Currently, C++ is being taught but with the emerging trends I would suggest Python, VBA or Javascript to be included for enhanced usefulness in rather practical fields. Either you are working in ArcGIS or QGIS or any image processing software, python is the best option to start learning programming.
There are several image processing software which can be interesting and explorable by GIS professionals. Matlab was a personal but productive experience while designing filters, processing different bands of images with morphological operators and writing different algorithms to process images. It actually helped me comprehend major image interpretation and image processing tasks done in top ranked image processing packages like ERDAS Imagine, ENVI, PCI Geomatica and others.
Unfortunately, majority of GIS professionals have spent more than a decade in organizations doing very basic tasks. They could not realize the advancements and exponential change of technology. Their skill set is still limited to ArcGIS software.
They could not explore the new industry standards, emerging technologies and software. Undeniably,the academia is dependable to some extent in playing an effective role by revising not only the curriculum but also resources on the basis of market demands. Then again without any exceptions, in my personal opinion, these GIS professionals themselves are responsible since the following options always exist for them to bridge the gap:
Grab opportunities to learn new things.
Expand and improve their typical skill set.
Innovate ideas to compete in the industry.
Propose curriculum updates accordingly in the academia.
Apart from Geodetic Surveys, CAD, 3D modeling, Coding, photogrammetry and image processing as advanced skills, there are many other noteworthy aspects. Technology is changing exponentially and to keep pace with the current trends, nowadays learning is just a click away. What matters most is the dedication an individual exhibits and the zeal and enthusiasm which drives your own life in a natural pattern. Where there is a will, there is always a way … and so in conclusion YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE

Computer literacy for Thari women

on 11/09/2020

Thar Foundation has decided to introduce computer literacy for women and men of Block-2 and Gorrano area of Tharparkar.
Applications are being invited from residents of these areas. A specially designed course will help students to learn basic IT functions and fluency in MS Office. This will enable local youth to compete in the job market where computer literacy is part of minimum qualifications. Women candidates will be given preference

Over 5 lakh new gas connections this year

on 11/09/2020

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), would provide around 549,821 new connections to domestic, commercial, and industrial consumers during the current fiscal year.
A per report of a state news agency, around 2.5 million applications for new gas connections are pending across the country, and the backlog is being cleared in sequence.
The SNGPL would add 405,450 consumers in its network including 400,000 domestic, 5,000 commercial, and 450 industrial, while SSGC has the plan to give 144,371 connections including 143,023 domestic, 1,164 commercial and 184 industrial.
During the last year, the companies awarded 430,145 connections of different nature, slightly exceeding against the target of 425,548, out of which SNGPL provided 300,000 domestic connections, 5,000 commercial and 450 industrial, making 100 percent achievement against the target of 305,450. The SSGC gave 123,900 domestic connections, 700 commercial and 95 industrial, exceeding 3 percent against the overall target of 120,098.
Besides, the two companies had laid 5,005 kilometers (KMs) additional supply and distribution lines in their respective areas to reinforce their transmission network across the country, out of which, the SNGPL laid 4,155 kilometers and SSGC 850 kilometers.
For the current fiscal year, the SNGPL has set the target to lay 6,965 kilometers transmission and distribution lines, while SSGC would expand its network by 1,418 kilometers. Pakistan has an extensive network of over 12,971 kilometers transmission, 139,827 kilometers distribution, and 37,058 kilometers services gas pipelines to provide the commodity to more than 9.6 million consumers across the country

Some Japanese auto industry may relocate to Pakistan

on 11/09/2020

Japan was encouraging its investors to look at investments in the autoparts sector in Pakistan and some Japanese investors would also be interested in re-locating their industry from elsewhere into Pakistan, said Matsuda Kuninori, Ambassador of Japan during a meeting with the Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar in Islamabad.
Mr Kuninori called on the Minister for Planning Asad Umar here. Both dignitaries discussed matters related to the bilateral relations, especially new possibilities of economic cooperation in the post-COVID-19 situation. The ambassador expressed his desire to further enhance cooperation between Japan and Pakistan and to help ensure that common objectives are met. The ambassador congratulated the minister on the government’s skillful handling of the COVID crisis which had resulted in containing the pandemic to a large extent. He said that the government departments had shown exemplary coordination along with the provincial governments. He said that Japanese nationals were now returning to take up various assignments in Pakistan after COVID enforced break. He said that the Embassy is encouraging Japanese investors to look at investments in the auto parts sector, building on the Japanese experience here in auto manufacturing. He said that some Japanese investors would also be interested in re-locating their industry from elsewhere into Pakistan. Asad Umar appreciated the efforts of the ambassador for enhancing economic cooperation. The minister said that the government initially focused on microeconomic stability, which has been achieved. The focus is now on growth. He said, “Economic indicators are positive and we would want to push the development expenditures as well as capitalize the private sector investment.” He said that the privatization program is also being revived. Asad Umar said that Pakistani & Japanese businesses can explore possibilities of collaboration in fisheries, agriculture, and textiles. It was agreed to organize a forum to discuss such opportunities in the near future.