LAHORE: The SNGPL’s Lahore region claims to have cut gas connections of more than 250 consumers for extracting gas through use of compressors and causing low pressure.

The company also claims to have received 15-20MMCFD more for Lahore and adjoining areas than the last winter on a daily basis for uninterrupted gas supply to the consumers.

“We have expedited disconnections against use of gas compressors and have disconnected more than 250 consumers for compressor use. Company has launched extensive media campaign to discourage illegal use of compressors and to create awareness regarding energy conservation through use of conical baffles, geyser timing device and Solar water heaters,” SNGPL General Manager (Lahore Region) Qaiser Masood told journalists at a press briefing here on Friday.

He said Lahore is the biggest region of the SNGPL with 18,500km distribution network that covers Natural Gas Distribution in districts of Lahore and Kasur. The total number of consumers in Lahore region is 982,748 (domestic), 12,988 (commercial), 917 (industrial), 274 (RLNG) and 985 (special domestic). Lahore Region’s consumers are 18pc of the company’s total consumers (5.1 million).

Currently, the region is getting 200-205 MMCFD daily for the city which is 15-20 MMCFD more than previous year which has significantly reduced low gas pressure complaints. Around 320 MMCF daily input is being received which is sufficient to cater for consumers needs.

“Low pressure complaints are resulted mostly due to the fact that immediately after increase in chill, occasional peak consumption is caused due to sudden increased use of geysers and heaters. The situation is further affected due to illegal use of gas compressors by some consumers which causes low pressure situation in the neighbouring consumers.

“So we have constituted special teams for serving the consumer complaints regarding low gas pressure during peak winter season including eight survey teams, 68 customer service teams, 18 maintenance teams (for looping, redrilling & dewatering). We have made efforts to improve gas pressure in localities including Rehmanpura, Friends Colony and Anwar Colony, Bastami Road, Jinnah Colony Nawan Kot, Riwaz Garden, Nawabpura Kacha Ranwan Road and Amir Road,” he claimed.

He said during the year 2016, the SNGPL attended a total of 216,561 consumer complaints including 95,722 related to leakage and 53,817 to gas stoppage and low pressure.

During the current fiscal year, the UFG (Unaccounted for Gas) losses have been reduced by 825 MMCF which is 1.34pc less than previous year reflecting a saving of Rs270 million.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2017