Govt of KP brings energy security wonders for Pakistan
18.6.2015
PESHAWAR: In just two years, the PTI Government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has done what the ANP/JUI or MMA Governments could not do in 10 years and other provincial governments have yet to take a start while Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is far ahead. The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the leadership of Pervez Khattak and corporate wizard Asad Umar established a public sector oil and gas Exploration & Production company to exploit the underground hidden black gold for the energy security of Pakistan.
The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is investing bullishly in oil and gas and bring more and more indigenous oil, gas and LPG not only to fuel its once fragile economy but also that of fuel guzzler and hungry Punjab. A 24 inch gas pipeline is being built from Kohat to Rai Jagir in the heartland of Punjab to carry newly successful wellheads.
Some 50,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil daily worth Rs 30 crore is also being transported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Punjab for refining every day. Two years ago crude oil production was less than 30,000 bpd thus a whopping 66% increase in 2 years. The annual foreign exchange saving increased by Rs 45 Billion under depressed oil prices scenario.
Had oil prices been around $100/barrel the saving would have been doubled. Gas production has increased to 400 million cubic feet per day. It seems to be untrue, but due to PTI catalyst chemistry the LPG (cylinder gas - the most costly fraction of a barrel of oil) production has gone up from meagre 10 tons per day to 470 tons per day thus easing pressure on balance of payment and keeping prices low. LPG is mostly used by the poor who don't have the luxury of gas.
Had the Federal not paid politics the LPG production would have increased to 600 TPD; but then that is our politics.
It is evident as daylight that there is no gas shedding in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, all praise by the masses for PTI Government even by hard core PPP stalwarts. CNG stations are open 24/7 and gas is supplied to commercial and industrial sectors 24/7 a good reason to set up industries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa allowed transportation of more than 100 million cubic feet of gas per day to Punjab, a generous gesture enough to fuel the main industrial hubs of Punjab. Had not the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the Chief Minister Pervez Khattak taken deep pains to ensure that production of oil and gas is on ever increasing trend the country would not only have lost much more precious foreign exchange on import of expensive oil but also the petrol pump prices would have been higher and gas bills even higher.
PTI developed systems to attract international and national investors, including Exploration & Production and service companies to work on fast track basis on oil, gas and LPG production and work over. The men behind all this are none less than Chairman Imran Khan, CM Pervez Khattak, Minister Atif Khan and Asad Umar MNA.
PTI has proven that merit and political non-interference can bring wonders even in the much shameful public sector; a lesson for the Federal Government and other provinces.
PTI established an oil and gas Exploration & Production company in the public sector, namely KPOGCL Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Oil and Gas Company Ltd. and installed an independent Board of Directors comprising professionals; thus achieved success in a very short time. Not only the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa higher ups are fully supportive but even at the level of DC/DPO there is red carpet reception for oil and gas Exploration & Production companies.
Employees of Oil and gas Exploration & Production and service companies admit that corruption has vanished from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, previously and in other provinces government officers, especially the Civil Administration, MNA/MPA/Senators and area notable would ask for money before allowing them to move in to explore for oil/gas but that is not the case in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - a real change indeed.
KPOGCL, a Provincial Holding Government Company working under Energy and Power Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is operating on fast track basis as a one window operational facility in order to accelerate Exploration and Production activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and results are coming out.
It also worth mentioning here that the PTI Government approved whopping Equity investment of Rs 7 billion into KPOGCL for next three years, which shows their commitment and dedication for the sustainable energy security of Pakistan. In the coming financial year FY 2015-16, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will invest Rs. 1.42 Billion as Equity in KPOGCL, a landmark in the country's history.
The entire credit goes to the sitting PTI Government to rejuvenate the Exploration blocks that were dormant since last 10 years like Marwat, Kohat, Latambar, Gurgalot, Wali, Neshpa West, Bannu West and Tal West to became active for Exploration and Production activities. New petroleum blocks, such as Paharpur, Tirah, Orakzai, Peshawar East, Karak North, Baratai and Pezu are new geological frontiers.
Lakki petroleum concession block appears under the name of KPOGLC in Director General Petroleum Concession Pakistan Petroleum Information System PPIS map, a history in the making. Thus, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has well placed itself for joint venture with international and national companies. It is learnt that KPOGCL is carving 4 more blocks for exploration.
National and Multinational Companies initiated Seismic Acquisition and Drilling activities in number of Exploration blocks as a result of personal interest of CM and Chairman PTI. The Number of Drilling Rigs have increased 8 compared to just 1 two years ago and two robust seismic crews of 600 professionals each have landed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is a testimony of PTI success in the corporate systems.
Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is negotiating to buy into producing fields to bring value addition to the famous Tal block. It is also buying a state of the art drilling rig and seismic recorder. KUFPEC, the international subsidiary of Kuwait Petroleum Company signed the Petroleum Concession Agreement PCA two months ago, a big catch from all dimensions.
Young unemployed Geologists, Geophysicts and Engineers of Pakistan are being employed on merit basis to take charge of oil and gas Exploration & Production. Unprecedented training of youngsters is one great effort by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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