Pakistan opens bids for 20 onshore petroleum exploration blocks The minimum investment

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…

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Record 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…

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Column: 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…

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OGRA 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…

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At 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…

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