SSGC inaugurates new high-pressure pipeline

KARACHI:

Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has inaugurated a dedicated pipeline, investing Rs 3.86 billion, to supply fuel at high pressure to industrial consumers in the western part of Karachi. This new phase aims to address low pressure gas issues for industrial customers in the region.

According to a press statement, the gas utility has installed a 31-km long, 24-inch diameter pipeline from MVA ACPL to SMS Surjani, solving low-pressure supply problems for industrial customers in the western region. SSGC CEO Imran Maniar inaugurated the pipeline, highlighting that the project will separate low-pressure residential and commercial consumers from high-pressure industrial consumers in the SITE and Hub industrial areas. Current demand from these industrial customers is approximately 130-140 mmscfd (million standard cubic feet per day), with future demand estimated to be 80-100 mmscfd. This new pipeline is expected to meet approximately 269 mmscfd of demand.

In addition, the pipeline will serve as a feed source for a 5 km long pipeline from SMS Surjani to Madinatal Hikmah, part of SSGC’s Master Plan to expand the distribution network in Karachi. The project also includes modifications to Surjani’s downgrading arrangement, leading to more effective and efficient control, better monitoring and reduced leakage and theft, known as Unaccounted-for-Gas (UFG), Maniar added.

Maniar lauded SSGC engineers, workers and technicians for their dedication to the project, completing it on schedule despite extreme heat for the past one and a half months. He noted that the execution of the project will reduce UFG by reducing undesired high gas pressures in the residential sector and improving pressures and volumes in the industrial sector.

Maniar attributed this achievement to the unified effort and teamwork of all departments, including projects and construction, design and development, transmission, finance, procurement and corporate communications.

The natural gas company has installed six large dedicated pipelines in Karachi to boost natural gas supplies to industrial zones including SITE (Shershah), Hub, Korangi and Landhi. Maniar highlighted major industrial developments in Nooriabad and the Hub, with the gas utility accepting applications for new industrial connections.