Pakistan to Restarts LNG Import Talks with Qatar

Pakistan’s new government has given a green signal to resuming stalled LNG import negotiations with Qatar.

In a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet on Tuesday it was agreed that preference should be given to import of 500 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of LNG from Qatar, The Express Tribune reported.

According to the LNG import plan proposed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, two or more import projects of 500 mmcfd each may be undertaken jointly by Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) keeping in view all LNG rules including PPRA rules, the newspaper said.

Some other options could also be explored to encourage LNG suppliers to construct a storage and re-gasification terminal for taking delivery of LNG. In this regard, a public-private partnership model may be worked out, the ECC said.

The ECC also asked if negotiation with other countries could also be started simultaneously.

Last month the ECC had cancelled bids invited in two tenders for import of 400 mmcfd of LNG each by the previous government.