Pakistan receives first LNG cargo of October from Qatar

Profit by Pakistan Today reported that an LNG shipment from Qatar arrived on Tuesday, the first October cargo, bringing back 150 mmcfd of regasified supply after both import terminals had gone offline. The vessel Al-Areesh docked at Engro's terminal at 11:05 am, and regasification began at noon. The terminal had been idle since September 26 for lack of LNG deliveries, and a further consignment is anticipated in eight to 10 days.

A senior Petroleum Division official said Pakistan is seeking three Qatari cargoes with help from Iranian and US officials, but only two are expected in October, the same as September. The country's other terminal, managed by Pakistan GasPort Limited (PGPL), has been closed since October 9 owing to insufficient inventory. Neither terminal supplied regasified LNG from October 9 to 13, leaving the power sector with roughly 38 mmcfd as of October 13.

Supply remains uncertain, as QatarEnergy invoked force majeure on March 4 after an Iranian strike on Ras Laffan, and the halt has been pushed back twice, most recently to November 6. Winter demand is forecast to surge, with Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) expected to need 1,550 mmcfd, up from 500, while Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) needs 500 mmcfd, up from 300. Domestic output is also under strain: MOL's CPF and GPF facilities are delivering 123 mmcfd, compared with 160 mmcfd normally, due to annual maintenance.