Pakistan's Minister for Petroleum goes bigger on LNG

Pakistan has selected five companies to build LNG terminals as it aims to triple imports and ease gas shortages. The terminals could be in operation within three years, stated the minister, Omar Ayub Khan.

The groups which are selected to build terminals are Tabeer Energy, a unit of Mitsubishi Corp; Exxon and Energas; Trafigura Group and Pakistan GasPort; Shell and Engro Corp; and Gunvor Group and Fatima. Details of plans are expected to be submitted by November 5.

Pakistan's government prioritized resolving the energy crisis by proposing to boost domestic hydrocarbon production, increase natural gas imports and diversify the installed capacity portfolio of electricity generation. As a result, Pakistan currently has two LNG terminals and a third expected to come on line next year.

Since the LNG technology was introduced in the country, Pakistan has imported over 19 million tons of LNG and saved about 5 billion dolars. LNG successfully replaced the import of more expensive furnace oil. 

Maritime Business World