KARACHI, March 4: Pakistan will face a shortfall of 600 mmcfd of gas by the year 2009 despite recent gas discoveries, which would be insufficient to meet the rising demand in future.

This was stated by managing director, Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL), Munawar Baseer Ahmed, at the opening ceremony of Pakistan Oil, Gas and Energy Exhibition (POGEE) at the Karachi Expo Centre on Tuesday.

Petroleum and Natural Resources Minister Nauraiz Shakoor Khan, who was chief guest, could not come for the inauguration of exhibition due to some pressing engagements in Islamabad and on-going National Assembly session. In his absence, SSGC managing director performed the opening ceremony.

Mr Baseer said that recent gas discoveries were expected to add between 600 and 800 mmcfd to the existing stock by 2008, but it would not be enough to meet the rising demand at seven to 8pc.

Pakistan is currently producing 2.4 bcfd of gas against the demand of 3.4 bcfd.

He said the SSGC was currently selling 760 mmcfd, and this year the company will buy 170 mmcfd more gas from Sawan in July and 250 mmcfd from Bhit very soon. The company is currently receiving 135 mmcfd into its system from Miano gas field. However, arrival of gas from Kadanwari gas field has come down to 47 mmcfd.

To meet the rising demand of gas by 2008, Pakistan is currently looking at three options to import gas to meet the rising demand. The three projects under discussion are Turkmenistan-Pakistan gas pipeline, Qatar-Pakistan under water gas pipeline and Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, he said.

The government, the SSGC MD said, would consider one of the above mentioned projects, which is technically and economically feasible for both the country and the consumers. He said the Inter State Gas System Limited (ISGSL) was reviewing the economic viability of these three projects very carefully.

Pakistan is the largest consumer of gas in the region and both the SSGC and the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) have a customer base of 3.6 million, he said.

President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Nasser Hayat Maggo, said the KCCI had decided to take a more pro-active role in organizing trade fairs and plans to organize a trade fair in August this year. He expressed the hope that the energy exhibition will help in promoting trade and commerce in Pakistan.

As many as 37 companies belonging to Pakistan, the US, the UK, Holland, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Austria, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Germany are exhibiting their products in the exhibition.