ISLAMABAD – In a new development, Russia will install 60 LPG AirMix plants in Pakistan out of which 24 will be set up in Balochistan. The rest will be set up at Murree, in Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK.
Experts said that the LPG AirMix plants would assist in sorting out the deficiency of the gas in the country.
“We are in talks with Russian firm and are very close to finalisation of the deal for setting up 60 LMP AirMi plants in various parts of the country,” Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources confirmed to The News.
This will be the second deal on natural gas with Moscow being finalised as Russia will construct 1,100 kilometre LNG pipeline from North to South too. It is pertinent to mention that the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) that met here on October 31 accorded approval to the plan for setting up of the LPG Air Mix Plants at Murree (Kurbagla, Dewal, Company Bagh and Tret), Awaran and Bella at an estimated cost of Rs1.353 billion.
The price of gas for the dwellers of these areas will be equal to the price of highest domestic slab consumers. However, its cost will be about one-third of LPG cylinder of 11.8 kg, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources said.
The minister further said that tariff for the consumers of above projects would be at Rs600 per MMBTU which is equal to the highest slab for the supply of natural gas to domestic consumers. However, the impact on the weighted average cost of gas has been calculated in terms of five projects at Rs0.60 per MMBTU as worked out by SNGPL and SSGC. The UFG (unaccounted for gas) if any in case of LPG AirMiX supplies would be ring-fenced ad will be borne by consumers of the LPG AirMix Plants.
