KARACHI, Feb 21: The supply of natural gas to SSGC reached an all-time high level of 1.1 bcfd (billion cubic feet of gas per day) in February 2005.

The average quantum of gas, received from a total of 12 gas fields in Sindh and Balochistan and distributed through the SSGC network, has remained close to this level in the recent weeks.

This reflects an increase of over 100 mmcfd (million cubic feet per day) in the supply of gas to SSGC over the last year, thus enabling the company to maintain maximum distribution and off take.

Even during the recent shortage, resulting from the shutdown of Sui Gas Purification Plant, SSGC was able to manage the gas load and keep most of its industrial and domestic customers adequately serviced, says a press release.

SSGC is in the process of implementing a five-year core investment plan worth Rs42 billion to increase the supply of gas to 1.7 bcfd. This will significantly improve competitiveness and efficiency of industrial units in Sindh and Balochistan, including export-oriented industries.

SSGC supplies gas to over 1.73 million customers, including more than 18,000 industrial/commercial customers, in more than 925 towns in Sindh and Balochistan.