Gas supply to Punjab industry, CNG sector suspended

LAHORE (92 News) – The gas crisis has worsened due to the cold spells as Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) suspended gas supply to industrial and CNG sectors in Punjab immediately including Lahore and Faislaabad. In the wake of increasing gas consumption of domestic sector due to the current cold wave in the country, SNGPL has decided to temporarily discontinue gas supply to Punjab industry and CNG sector. The halted gas supply to general industry — fertiliser, manufacturing and compressed natural gas sectors — to meet energy needs of around six million domestic consumers in Punjab. The SNGPL spokeswoman said that the decision has been taken on temporary basis owing to the current situation. “Supply to general industries and CNG sector will be restored as soon as the situation gets normal,” he added. “We have lost another 150 MMCF from our pack during last 24 hours. Current pack has now gone below 3800 MMCF which is detrimental for the smooth operation of our transmission and distribution system,” SNGPL said in a letter to Secretary Petroleum Division. Hence, immediate intervention is required to stabilize the system or we risk system collapse which may take longer time for recovery besides non supply of gas to vast areas especially tail end areas throughout our area of franchise, the letter added. “In view of the above acute situation, we are left with no option but to proceed with suspension of gas supply to industrial (excluding export oriented industry) and CNG sectors in Punjab, immediately for few days, on an interim basis to avert merit down of our transmission system,” the letter maintained.