An LNG terminal at Gwadar, and a pipeline to Nawabshah, both in Pakistan, is being launched by the government of Nawaz Sharif with Chinese collaboration, in what will be a US$3 billion mega-project.
Pakistan’s ministry of petroleum and natural resources (MoPNR) has decided to build the LNG terminal and pipeline through a Government-to-Government (G2G) arrangement with China.
Chinahas promised to provide US$35 billion relating to the economic corridor and energy-related projects, and this new project will also be funded through the same scheme.
Two Chinese companies have already shown interest in building the Gwadar LNG terminal and installing the US$1 billion pipeline. Another US$2 billion will be needed to construct the terminal with LNG handling and re-gasification facilities, as well as to erect extensive LNG storage tanks.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, petroleum and natural resources minister, said: “This will be the second LNG terminal as the first fast-track terminal is being constructed by Engro’s ETPL (Elengy Terminal
Pakistan Limited) at Port Qasim, which is scheduled to be completed by March 31, 2015, but we are hoping that the terminal will be completed by December this year.”
The LNG terminal at Gwadar Port will have a handling capacity of 19.5 million m3 per day. In addition, large LNG storage depots at Gwadar will be constructed.