Karachi is bracing for an intense bout of gas load-shedding scheduled from August 12 to 27. This anticipated disruption stems from a significant cut in gas supply – to the tune of 107 mmcfd – as the Kunnar-Pasakhi Deep (KPD) gas field undergoes annual maintenance work. The repercussions of this shutdown will be profound, impacting not just households but also commercial establishments, industrial units, and the Kapco power plants.
SSGC’s Notification and Breakdown of the Shutdown
In light of this scheduled maintenance, Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) informed the public by releasing an official notification. This document provides a comprehensive breakdown of the planned work at the KPD gas field, which is set to be executed in three structured phases spanning 16 days.
Offering a deeper insight into the intricacies of the maintenance plan, the SSGC spokesperson shed light on the distinction between complete and partial shutdowns. For eight days, there will be a full cessation of operations, resulting in a 107 mmcfd drop in gas supply. Conversely, the four-day partial shutdown is expected to decrease 50 mmcfd in the gas supply.
Recent SSGC Supply Line Damage Adds to Concerns
The recent inadvertent damage to the SSGC’s gas supply line is compounding the apprehensions surrounding the impending gas crisis. The gas line faced unexpected damages as infrastructure developments progressed for the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) project in Karachi. Specifically, the 8’ diameter gas supply conduit near Safoora Chowrangi in Karachi suffered during excavation activities for the BRT.
This incident led to a temporary halt in gas provision to several adjoining zones. Some of the worst-hit areas included significant establishments and residential communities such as the Memon Foundation Hospital, Karachi University, Sadi Town, Rimjhim, Down University, and Sachal Goth.
