High pressure in SNGPL network forces shutdown of critical wells in Tal block

High network pressure in Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) forces shutdown of critical wells in Tal Block thereby reducing supply by approximately 110 MMscfd of sales gas.

In a letter to the Ministry of Petroleum, MOL Group has raised serious concerns over gas curtailment due to high network pressure from SNGPL since August 28, 2024.

The curtailment has significantly impacted MOL Pakistan's processing facilities, including CPF, MGPF, and TPF, resulting in a reduction of approximately 110 MMscfd of sales gas.

The situation has forced the shutdown of several critical wells, posing a major concern for Tal JV. Despite the reduction, MOL Group continues to experience high network pressure, reaching around 1250 Psi.

The frequent shutdowns of critical wells in the mature Tal Block fields could lead to a complete loss of production. Earlier this year, similar curtailments caused liquid loading and productivity deterioration in some wells, severely impacting production levels and causing reservoir damage.

MOL Group warns that if the situation persists, it could lead to permanent production and reserves loss. Additionally, prolonged exposure to such high pressure risks machine breakdowns, potentially disrupting sales gas supply from the Tal Block for an extended period.

The company has requested urgent intervention from the Ministry of Petroleum to normalize the gas curtailment situation. The reduction in gas flows from major local fields has also created operational challenges for Sui Southern and Sui Northern, which manage line pack pressure. This reduction has raised concerns about the vulnerability of oil and gas fields, particularly the inability to recharge wells when gas flows are significantly reduced.

Complicating the situation further are long-term LNG agreements with Qatar and ENI, alongside domestic gas production. The surplus of gas due to lower consumption of imported LNG has led to the curtailment of local gas flows to manage line pack pressure, impacting industries and consumers.