Pakistan Wants More LNG from India Than Earlier Decided

Pakistani energy companies have expressed desire to buy more LNG from India’s GAIL than the previously-decided 5 million standard cubic metres per day (mmscmd).

According to Economic Times (ET), last week, GAIL officials met representatives of Pakistan's energy companies that are planning new power plants in Pakistan, and they said that they need more supply from across the border.

"We may end up supplying more LNG to Pakistan as representatives of Pakistan's private power and energy companies told us they need more LNG," Prabhat Singh, director, marketing, Gail, told ET. "They are planning new power plants in Pakistan, so the 5 mmscmd volume decided earlier could now be increased," he added.

Singh also said that once the deal is cleared by the governments of both the countries, "we could supply more LNG, but only through the Pakistani state gas firm, Inter State Gas Systems", reported ET.

The gas would be supplies through the proposed 110-km pipeline from Jalandhar to Lahore for delivery into Pakistan.

"We are seeking a price of around $22 mmBtu, but the Pakistanis are negotiating for a lower price of around $18 mmBtu. They are also seeking some tax exemptions," said Singh.