Pakistan receives first LNG shipment of October

Summary

• Pakistan has received its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipment of October, offering some relief to the country’s strained gas supply system as authorities struggle to secure additional cargoes ahead of the winter season.
• Meanwhile, 31 mmcfd of gas from the Bettani field has remained suspended since late October 9 following a rupture in the eight-inch Bettani-Kakakhel pipeline near Sheri-Khel village.
• Around 45 mmcfd of raw gas intended for Liberty Power has remained suspended since September 17 over non-payment.

AI Generated Summary

Pakistan has received its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipment of October, offering some relief to the country’s strained gas supply system as authorities struggle to secure additional cargoes ahead of the winter season.

The LNG vessel Al-Areesh, carrying a shipment from Qatar, berthed at Engro’s LNG terminal on Tuesday. Regasification operations have resumed, allowing around 150 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of re-gasified LNG (RLNG) to enter the national gas network.

The shipment arrived amid uncertainty over international LNG supplies and maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Officials are working to arrange additional cargoes from Qatar, but the latest supply outlook suggests Pakistan may receive only two shipments during October, matching the number delivered in September.

Authorities have also been seeking assistance from Iranian and US officials to secure further LNG supplies. However, disruptions to Qatar’s exports and uncertainty surrounding shipping routes continue to complicate procurement efforts.

Engro’s LNG terminal had remained shut since September 26 because no LNG vessel was available. The arrival of Al-Areesh has restored operations at the facility. However, Pakistan’s second LNG terminal, operated by Pakistan GasPort Limited (PGPL), has remained non-operational since October 9 because of insufficient LNG stocks.