KARACHI: Experts have raised alarms over the environmental impact of coal mining in Tharparkar, Sindh, highlighting its role in increasing lightning strikes in the region. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from coal mining and power plants are driving localized warming and atmospheric humidity, contributing to severe weather anomalies, according to a study launched on Friday by the Policy Research Institute for Equitable Development (PRIED). The study, titled “Exploring the Link Between Lightning Strikes and Coal: A Case Study of Tharparkar,” reveals a sharp rise in thunderstorms and lightning strikes, particularly in…
Read MoreCategory: Shortcode
OGRA Notifies Adjusted RLNG Prices for January Amid Rising System Losses
ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has announced revised Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) prices for January, reflecting a slight decrease for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) and an increase for Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGCL), amidst record-high system losses. Karachi-based SSGCL, serving Sindh and Balochistan, saw its system losses surge to 16.16% from 13% last month. Lahore-based SNGPL, supplying Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, recorded an increase in losses to 8.6% from 8%. For SNGPL, the RLNG sale price at the transmission stage was reduced by 1.98%…
Read MoreOGRA to Probe LPG Overcharging Allegations Against SNGPL
ISLAMABAD: The Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has initiated an investigation into complaints of overcharging for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL). Consumer Rights Advocacy (CRA), an Islamabad-based non-profit organization, reported to OGRA that SNGPL was selling LPG cylinders at Rs3,253, exceeding the maximum notified price of Rs2,953.36 for an 11.8-kg cylinder set by OGRA for January 2025. Receipts from early January were submitted as evidence. The CRA highlighted that LPG, a primary fuel in rural and hilly areas, is already significantly more expensive…
Read MoreUK Faces Gas Shortage Amid Severe Cold Weather
London: The UK is facing a critical gas shortage, with reserves expected to last less than a week due to increased demand caused by severe cold weather. This warning was issued by Centrica, the parent company of British Gas. However, the government has assured that the country currently has sufficient gas to meet demand and is closely monitoring reserves. A government spokesperson stated that all available measures would be taken to ensure gas supply if necessary, including purchasing additional gas from Europe. The UK has been experiencing an unusually cold…
Read More2024: A Historic Year as Global Warming Surpasses 1.5ºC Threshold
As wildfires ravaged California, claiming at least 10 lives and destroying nearly 10,000 structures, scientists confirmed a grim milestone: 2024 was the first year global temperatures exceeded 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels. The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reported that the planet’s average temperature in 2024 was 1.6ºC higher than in the 1850-1900 period, making it the warmest year on record. Every month of 2024 ranked as the warmest or second-warmest for its respective month since record-keeping began. While climate change is intensifying disasters worldwide, including deadly heatwaves in…
Read More2024: Mixed Solar Energy Trends Amid Record Heat
While 2023 was the sunniest year of the century, 2024 presented a more complex solar energy picture despite being the second-hottest year on record. Analysis by Solcast API reveals varied irradiance trends shaped by weather patterns such as El Niño and regional droughts, decoupling global heat records from consistent solar potential. Regional Insights: Americas: Canada and Alaska faced below-average solar irradiance due to persistent cloud cover, while the U.S. Midwest saw improved solar conditions. Mexico and South America benefited from exceptional sunshine, driven by Amazon droughts reducing cloud formation.Europe &…
Read MorePPL Commences Gas Production from Takri-1 Well in Jamshoro
Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has announced the start of gas production from the Takri-1 exploratory well in Jamshoro, Sindh. The development was disclosed in a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). The Kotri North Joint Venture, consisting of United Energy Pakistan Limited (UEPL) as the operator with a 50% working interest, along with PPL (40%) and Asia Resources Oil Limited (10%), achieved this milestone by tapping into the hydrocarbon potential of Takri-1. Key Highlights: Exploration Details: Takri-1 was spudded on November 11, 2024, and drilled to a depth of…
Read MoreChina Rises to Second-Largest Global Lithium Reserves, Boosting EV Battery Dominance
China has emerged as the world’s second-largest holder of lithium reserves, solidifying its leadership in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and renewable energy technologies. According to Xinhua, China’s share of global lithium reserves has surged from 6% to 16.5%, surpassing Australia, Argentina, and Bolivia, with only Chile ahead. This milestone is attributed to significant discoveries and breakthroughs in extraction technologies. Key Developments: Tibet Discovery: A 1,740-mile spodumene belt in Tibet is estimated to contain 6.5 million tons of lithium, with potential reserves of up to 30 million tons. Tibetan salt lakes…
Read MoreFBR Exposes Rs106 Billion Solar Panel Import Scam Involving Fake Companies
The Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) Directorate of Customs Post Clearance Audit South has uncovered a staggering Rs106 billion money laundering scheme disguised as solar panel imports, Express News reported. The investigation revealed the involvement of seven fake companies: Messrs Sky Linkers Trading Company, PeshawarMessrs Sky Linkers Business Chain Private Limited, PeshawarMessrs Bright Star Business Solution Private Limited, PeshawarMessrs Moonlight SMC Private Limited, PeshawarMessrs Pak Electronics, LahoreMessrs Solar Site (Private) Limited, LahoreMessrs Royal Zone (Private) LimitedLed by Rab Nawaz and Ahmed Nawaz, the network used these companies to conduct large-scale…
Read MoreMari Petroleum Rebranded as Mari Energies Limited
KARACHI: Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) has officially been renamed Mari Energies Limited (MEL), effective January 7, 2025. The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has issued a Certificate of Incorporation confirming the change. This update was shared as material information with the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Wednesday.
Read More