Pakistan receives first LNG cargo of October from Qatar

Al-Areesh berthed at Engro's LNG terminal as it resumes operations after 18 days; second terminal remains shut as Qatar supply disruptions threaten winter gas availability; another cargo is expected w ...

Headlines Pakistan receives first LNG cargo of October from Qatar Al-Areesh berthed at Engro's LNG terminal as it resumes operations after 18 days; second terminal remains shut as Qatar supply disruptions threaten winter gas availability; another cargo is expected within eight to 10 days Size A A A A A A A A Font Sans Serif Serif Classic Modern Full screen Pakistan received its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo of October from Qatar on Tuesday, restoring 150 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of regasified LNG supply after disruptions left both import terminals non-operational.

According to a news report, the vessel Al-Areesh berthed at Engro's LNG terminal at 11:05 am, with regasification beginning at noon.

The terminal had remained shut since September 26 due to the absence of LNG shipments.

A senior Petroleum Division official said that Pakistan is attempting to secure three cargoes from Qatar with assistance from Iranian and US officials.

However, only two shipments are expected during October, matching September's arrivals.

The country's second LNG terminal, operated by Pakistan GasPort Limited (PGPL), has remained shut since October 9 because of insufficient inventory.

Between October 9 and 13, neither terminal was regasifying LNG, leaving the power sector with approximately 38 mmcfd of gas for electricity generation as of October 13.

Pakistan's LNG supply remains uncertain after QatarEnergy declared force majeure on March 4 following an Iranian attack on its Ras Laffan facility on March 2.

The suspension has been extended twice, most recently until November 6.

Further disruptions could affect winter supplies as Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited's (SNGPL) demand is projected to increase from 500 mmcfd to 1,550 mmcfd, while Sui Southern Gas Company's (SSGC) requirement is expected to rise from 300 mmcfd to 500 mmcfd.

Domestic gas production is also facing constraints.

Supplies from MOL's CPF and GPF facilities have fallen to 123 mmcfd against a normal 160 mmcfd due to annual maintenance.

Another 31 mmcfd from the Bettani field has remained suspended since October 9 following a pipeline rupture, while 14.5 mmcfd from MOL's Mamikhel South well has been unavailable since September 26.

Separately, 45 mmcfd of raw gas supply from the Qadirpur field to Liberty Power has remained suspended since September 17 due to non-payment.

Although the latest LNG arrival has partially restored supplies, the continued shutdown of the PGPL terminal and uncertainty over future Qatari shipments remain concerns ahead of peak winter demand.