Winter Gas Supply Schedule Announced for Punjab, K-P

November 13, 2024 Mahi Bukhari

The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has rolled out an updated winter gas supply schedule aimed at ensuring consistent and high-pressure gas delivery during peak hours. This new plan, effective from November 2024, is designed to meet the increased seasonal demand for heating and cooking needs in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

Purpose of the Revised Schedule

Addressing Seasonal Demand

The winter months bring a significant rise in gas demand as households rely on it for heating and hot water. The revised schedule by SNGPL is intended to help consumers plan their activities around designated gas supply periods, ensuring that they have adequate resources during peak usage times.

Details of the Winter Gas Supply Schedule

Designated Time Slots

According to the new timetable, gas will be supplied at full pressure during three specific slots each day:

Morning: 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Afternoon: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Evening: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

These time slots have been strategically chosen to align with the highest demand periods, ensuring that consumers can effectively manage their daily cooking and heating needs.

Implementation and Compliance

Government Directives

SNGPL representatives stated that these adjustments were made in compliance with government directives. The company’s focus is on enhancing service reliability across all regions it serves, including Punjab and K-P.

Service Assurance

The company has assured that consumers will receive full-pressure gas supplies during these specified times. This initiative aims to mitigate the challenges posed by the seasonal surge in gas demand and ensure a stable supply for SNGPL’s over 7.22 million customers.

Broader Impact on Gas and Oil Production

Increase in Production and Sales

Pakistan’s daily oil and gas production, along with the sales of petroleum products, has seen a 2% increase during the first four months of the current fiscal year. According to data from Petroleum Information Services:

Daily Crude Oil Production: Averaged 65,582 barrels in the week ending October 31, up from 64,467 barrels the previous week.
Daily Gas Production: Averaged 2,737 MMCFD, showing a 2% increase over the previous week’s production of 2,694 MMCFD.

Petroleum Product Sales

The Oil Companies Advisory Council reported that from July to October, petroleum product sales totaled 5.18 million tons, a 2% increase compared to the same period last year.

Economic Indicators and Trade Data

Export Growth

The State Bank reported a significant increase in exports to France, Germany, and other Western European countries. In the first quarter of the current fiscal year, exports earned $1.165 billion, a 16.23% increase over the same period last year.

Import Reduction

Conversely, imports from these countries decreased, costing $496.34 million, which is 40.67% lower than the previous fiscal year’s imports.

Cotton Production Decline

The Cotton Ginners Association reported a 37% decrease in cotton arrivals at ginning factories, with only 4,291,000 bales arriving by October 31, compared to 6,794,000 bales during the same period last year.

FAQs About the Winter Gas Supply Schedule

1. Why was the winter gas supply schedule revised?

The schedule was revised to meet the increased demand for gas during winter, ensuring consistent and high-pressure supply during peak hours for heating and cooking needs.

2. What are the designated time slots for gas supply?

Gas will be supplied at full pressure during three specific slots each day: 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM, and 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.

3. How will the new schedule benefit consumers?

The revised schedule will help consumers plan their daily activities around the designated gas supply periods, ensuring they have adequate resources during peak usage times.

4. How does the new schedule align with government directives?

The adjustments were made in compliance with government directives to enhance service reliability and ensure a stable supply of gas to all regions served by SNGPL.

5. What impact has the new schedule had on oil and gas production?

The new schedule is part of broader efforts to improve gas supply stability. Additionally, there has been a 2% increase in both daily oil and gas production and petroleum product sales during the first four months of the current fiscal year.