LAHORE, Jan 4: The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has been able to avoid a gas crisis this winter with two more fields boosting the supplies by 250 million cubic feet.

The total winter demand of Punjab and NWFP was around 1,400mcf but the supply of SNGPL was restricted to 1,150mcf last year, thus leaving a shortfall of 250mcf, which created a crisis when the cold wave gripped the two provinces.

But this year, with Sawan and Zamzama fields operational, the company has been able to meet the demand. According to officials of the SNGPL, the company still has a margin of 25mcf to meet any additional demand. But they fear that if the biting cold persists for a few more weeks and the demand goes up substantially, there could be problems.

Talking about any increase in the number of complaints of condensation or blockage of the system, they said there had been none as yet. It is largely because the system is running to full capacity and the pressure on pipelines has helped the company avoid problems of last year. There were minor complaints of low pressure at tail-ends in some areas which have been taken care of.

They hoped that by next year, the supply could go up to 1,600mcf. The company is upgrading its distribution system, widening the pipeline from Sui to Multan to 36 inchesand laying another of 18 inches between Sahiwal and Lahore.

Mujahid Anwer, company's chief for the Lahore region, said around 30 new industrial connections had been provided in the area last year. There was a growing demand in the power sector.

Last year's demand in the city was around 300mcf which had gone up to 400mcf this winter and would grow if the cold wave continued. But the company would be able to meet the increase in demand for the next few years. New discoveries have been made in Sindh and the company should not have any problem during the next few years, he hoped.