Pakistan Receives First October LNG Shipment Amid Supply Crisis

The Government of Pakistan received its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipment of October on Tuesday, as the vessel Al-Areesh berthed at the Engro terminal. The facility began regasification at 150 million cubic feet per day, providing limited relief after both Engro and Pakistan GasPort Limited terminals faced shutdowns due to inventory shortages that restricted power generation.

Supply remains fragile following a force majeure declaration by QatarEnergy, which is extended until November 6. This disruption stems from a March attack on the Ras Laffan facility in Qatar. While Pakistani authorities are working with U.S. and Iranian officials to secure three cargoes from Qatar, only two are expected to arrive this month.

Domestic instability further complicates the crisis, with pipeline ruptures and production drops at MOL and MEL facilities. These factors threaten the country's ability to meet a projected winter demand spike, with Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited and Sui Southern Gas Company expecting requirements to reach 1,550 mmcfd and 500 mmcfd respectively, potentially impacting industrial sectors.