January 11, 2003	Saturday	Ziqa'ad 7, 1423

KARACHI, Jan 10: The Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) has managed to supply 40 mmcfd in its distribution system from the newly-commissioned Bhit gas field, operated by Eni Lasmo Pakistan, in order to overcome shortage of gas in winter season.

Gas from Bhit field is expected to increase to 135 mmcfd by the third week of this month and up to 270 mmcfd by end of February, after the commissioning of Nitrogen Removal Unit (NRU) at the Bhit field. This is the first unit of its kind that would be commissioned and operated in Pakistan.

A spokesman of SSGC said that consumers would continue to receive un-interrupted gas supplies despite difficulties of increased demand and reduced supplies in the winter season.

The gas demand in SSGC system has gone up to 740 mmcfd from 715 mmcfd due to severe cold weather in upper Sindh and Balochistan.

Similar demand spurt has also witnessed in northern parts of Pakistan. To accommodate the gas demand in the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline System (SNGPL), the SSGC has on voluntary basis agreed to divert 75 mmcfd gas from its system to SNGPL.

SSGC spokesman said that gas had been supplied to all its domestic, commercial and industrial customers despite shortfall in gas availability and increased demand.

The shortfall has been managed by making adjustments in the gas supplied to the power sector, since the power sector has arrangements for alternate fuel, thus enabling the industrial and export oriented industries to work at full capacity.