ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has opened bids for 20 onshore petroleum exploration blocks, the government said in statement on Friday. “The minimum investment to be carried out by the exploration and production (E&P) companies in these blocks for prospecting will be over $71 million in three years,” a statement from the petroleum division said. The move to grant licences for discovery comes…
Read MoreMonth: January 2021
BMW aims to double fully electric vehicle sale
BMW said on Friday that it aims to double its sales of fully electric vehicles this year as the German carmaker and rivals race to release new models to comply with CO2 emissions targets and chase market leader Tesla Inc. BMW also said that including plug-in hybrids, it aims for a 50% increase in sales of electrified vehicles versus 2020.…
Read MoreRecord LNG prices push South Asian countries, including Pakistan, to ration gas
Pakistan, as well as Bangladesh, is rationing gas and buyers across South Asia are seeking alternative fuels after spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices surged to record highs, government and industry officials told Reuters. Spot LNG prices have nearly tripled since early November as freezing temperatures across North Asia boosted demand and depleted inventories. Since July, prices are up a dizzying…
Read MoreChinese firm to set up first steel plant in Rashakai
ISLAMABAD: A Chinese iron and steel conglomerate has become the first foreign enterprise to establish its plant in the Rashakai Special Economic Zone under CPEC with a planned investment of $50 million. The SEZ Committee of Rashakai Special Economic Zone at its meeting on Friday allocated 40 acres to Century Steel Ltd owned by Fuzhou Julitaihe International Company of China,…
Read MorePrice of petrol hiked by Rs3.2, diesel by Rs2.95
ISLAMABAD: With sufficient oil-related revenue in the kitty, the government on Friday increased the prices of all petroleum products by three per cent to 6pc for the next 16 days. According to an announcement by the finance ministry, the ex-depot prices of petrol and high speed diesel (HSD) were increased by Rs3.20 and Rs2.95 per litre, respectively. The prices of…
Read MoreMcKinsey: aggregate fossil fuel demand to peak in 2027
Aggregate fossil fuel demand is set to peak in 2027 – with oil peaking in 2029 and gas in 2037 – partially due to the impacts of COVID-19, according to new research by McKinsey & Company. The Global Energy Perspective 2021 report finds that while coal demand peaked already, peaks in demand for oil and gas are not far behind.…
Read MoreColumn: Big freeze exposes Asia’s underlying energy crisis
China has been forced to restrict power in multiple provinces, Japan has appealed for voluntary restraint, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices have hit record highs as generators and utilities scramble for spot cargoes. While freezing temperatures triggered the crisis, they have also exposed an underlying lack of resilience in regional energy systems caused by the rapid transition to gas…
Read MoreOGRA grants licences to two virtual pipeline firms
ISLAMABAD: In a new development, Pakistan’s private sector is going to introduce an innovative concept of virtual pipelines through cryogenic bowzers. Currently, Pakistan has two floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Karachi with handling capacity of around 1.3 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) of LNG. With the new concept of virtual pipelines, the government will open up the…
Read MoreAt least 609 fuel stations sealed in crackdown against ‘oil smugglers’
Days after the federal cabinet green-lighted a major drive against oil smuggling in the country, the anti-smuggling squad of the interior ministry sealed 609 petrol filling stations and about 4.5 million litres of petrol and diesel on Friday. According to an official statement, the officials of the interior ministry swung into action against the oil smugglers, sealed petrol pumps and…
Read MoreLNG price boom set for fall as warmer weather looms in Asia
SINGAPORE: The breathtaking rally in liquefied natural gas (LNG) is likely set for a fall in coming weeks as a cold spell in Asia gives way to milder weather and lower heating demand, traders and analysts said. Spot LNG prices have jumped by nearly 200% in the last month as freezing temperatures across North Asia boosted demand and depleted inventories.…
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