Gas shortfall due to reserves depletion brings along challenges for SSGC. No load shedding in franchise areas.
ISLAMABAD: At the ouset it should be noted that SSGC is continuously experiencing gas shortages due to the yearly depletion of indigenous gas reservoirs. It is a pertinat fact that SSGC’s gas supplies have been reduced by 40% since FY 2017–18. The table (below) illustrates, around 465 mmcfd of gas depletion has been recorded during the past seven years. Year-wise gas supplies and depletion rates are shown below;
CHART TO BE PLACED HERE. TO BE TAKEN FROM THE ATTACHED FILE.
According to the load management plan approved by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), Government of Pakistan, domestic, commercial and general industrial sectors have been given the top most priority.
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It must be reiterated that there is no gas load shedding in SSGC’s franchise areas, particularly in the domestic sector. However, as part of the gas load management strategy (as per internationally implemented practices) a night-time gas closure / pressure profiling from 10:00 pm to 05:00 am is being executed in the domestic sector to maintain our line-packs for the subsequent’s day good pressure and for managing /consuming the saved volumes of indigenous natural gas to be utilized during the peak / cooking hours.
As explained above, in the depleting indigenous gas scenario, SSGC is continuously striving hard to supply optimum required volumes of gas to its domestic consumers, especially during the cooking hours, including those located at the tail-end of the Company’s distribution network.
In Balochistan, during the winter season, demand for natural gas increases manifolds. Besides cooking, natural gas is widely used for surface heating to protect from harsh weather, characterized by sub-zero temperatures.
In order to meet the enhanced demand for natural gas in Balochistan, SSGC makes all efforts to supply sufficient volumes to the province.
However, in order to improve the quality of services and to address the issues of low gas pressure and increased vulnerability to gas leaks, SSGC has undertaken an extensive rehabilitation program across its entire franchise areas, while prioritizing older networks situated at the tail-end of the distribution network.
During the last two years, SSGC has completed rehabilitation of over 2,200 kms of distribution networks in the cities of Thul, Shahdadkot, Sakrand, Dera Bugti and various colonies of Karachi.
Looking ahead, SSGC is actively working towards rehabilitation of 4,500 kilometers of distribution pipeline network during the next three years. This initiative aims to resolve low-pressure issues, particularly in the tail-end areas.
It is pertinent to mention here that two of the key tail-end areas in Karachi namely DHA and Lyari were prioritized under the above-mentioned rehabilitation plan. Rehabilitation of distribution pipelines in DHA Karachi has already been completed whereas, 50% work has been completed in Lyari and remaining work is expected to be completed by June 2025.
On the other hand, rehabilitation of distribution pipelines is underway in Karachi’s North Nazimabad and North Karachi, Hala, Sinjoro, old Sukkur, Kandhkot and part of Hyderabad city, which are expected to be completed by June 2025.
SSGC’s concerned teams remain ficused on ground, mobilized and alert around the clock to deal with any isolated gas supply related issue.
In case of any low pressue complains, our esteemed customers can reach out to SSGC’s 24/7 Operational Call Centre by dialing1199, using SSGC’s Customer Connect Mobile App or by visiting SSGC’s Head office and our Customer Facilitation Centers, Regional / Zonal Offices spread over our franchise provinces of Sindh and Balochistan.
With best regards,
Salman A. Siddiqui
Dy. General Manager, Corporate Communications
and Official Spokesperson
For further information and details, kindly contact;
Huda Qureshi – Dy. Chief Manager, Media Relations – 0333-367-7782
Sadaf Abbas – Manager, Media Relations – 0323-821-2971
Safdar Hussain – Dy. Manager, Media Relations – 0323-821-3121
Karachi – December 22, 202
