KARACHI, July 28: Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) has doubled its gas transmission system capacity to 1.2 billion cubic feet per day from 600 cubic feet per day in July 2000.

The overflow rate of 1,200 mmcfd was achieved due to maximum flow of 962 mmcfd in the gas system coupled with additional 240 mmcfd transmitted to SNGPL by the SSGC through its transmission network, says a press release.

The cost of the expansion, under gas infrastructure rehabilitation and expansion project (GIREP), is Rs3.1 billion.

Under GIREP-II, a major five-year expansion plan is being undertaken, entailing major additions of new transmission pipelines and distribution network. SSGC’s system capacity, after its completion, would increase by another 500 mmcfd in addition to over 350,000 new customers, thereby increasing the customer base of over 2 million.

The SSGC, under GIREP-II, intends to provide gas to several new upcoming power plants including an 80mw desalination and combined cycle power plant being set up by the Defence Housing Authority at Karachi.

SSGC claims that through supply of full gas requirements of KESC and Wapda, the power utilities are now saving nearly Rs800 million per month, through use of cheaper fuel, resulting in annual saving of Rs10 billion.