226 MW Engro Powergen Qadirpur Limited (EPQL) which is still waiting to be allocated gas, is expected to be supplied through Kandhkot gas fields. In this regard the Private Power & Infrastructure Board (PPIB) has also advocated the allocation from Kandhkot field.
EPQL believes that it is an ideal consumer of Kandhkot gas, as the plant is specifically designed for consumption of low BTU gas with high HS content. EPQL has requested allocation of Kandhkot gas by highlighting potential benefits of producing cheaper electricity by using this low BTU gas with savings on account of overall energy basket price (Rs. 300 billion for remaining life) or forex savings (upto $ 2 billion).
Previously it was believed that more than 100Km of gas pipeline would be required for supply of limited volume of gas from Kandhkot; however, EPQL has recently worked out that only 30 km pipeline would be required to connect EPQL plant with nearest off-take from Kandhkot field.
EPQL, is a combined cycle power plant near Ghotki, Sindh, commissioned in March 2010 under 2002 Power Policy. The project was initially allocated low BTU Permeate Gas (PG) from Qadirpur gas-field which was anticipated to decline from 2015 and reach minimum level by 2017. However, actual production of PG was higher and the updated gas profile shared by the gas supplier SNGPL indicates that a commingling fuel would be required to operate the plant, technically at a minimum level of 90 MW by end of this year. At present, the project is being operated in mixed mode i.e. using HSD to cover the shortfall of PG.
