Dry-docking at Engro LNG terminal completed: Hammad Azhar

• Energy minister says floating storage and regasification unit has been restored ahead of the schedule.
• Hammad Azhar adds that only 66 hours of gas curtailment in some sectors that are being restored from tonight.
• According to the plan, Engro’s LNG import terminal was supposed to be closed for four days this week for maintenance work.

Federal Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar has said the process of dry docking at the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Karachi has been completed and the original floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) has been restored ahead of the schedule.

"Just 66 hours of gas curtailment in some sectors that are being restored from tonight. Zero interruption on the power side," the minister said in a social media post on Thursday.

Acknowledging the efforts of his team, Azhar said: "Well done SSGC, SNGPL and Power/Petroleum Division teams."

According to a notification issued by the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), Engro LNG terminal began LNG supply. Gas supply to K-Electric and Nooriabad power plants has also started.

The notification added that an increase in gas supply in the system has been noted.

It is pertinent to mention here that dry-docking is the process of the LNG terminals, whereby the FSRU is taken to the service yard and brought to dry land. The servicing is done to clean and inspect the submerged portions of the terminal. Dry-docking is essential as a preventative measure and is also a regulatory requirement within the industry.

According to the plan, Engro’s LNG import terminal was supposed to be closed for four days this week (September 14-17) for repair and maintenance work.

The supply from the terminal was suspended for the first two days of repair work, which was being undertaken to replace temporarily installed FSRU Sequoia with a permanent one, Exquisite, which had gone to Qatar for an overhaul in June.