Category: Energy

You can go through stories related to energy. The stories are about changes in petroleum prices and updates on energy sector of Pakistan and world.

  • Govt. keeps petroleum prices unchanged

    Govt. keeps petroleum prices unchanged

    ISLAMABAD: The government Tuesday decided to keep the prices of petroleum products unchanged for the next fortnight till December 15, 2021.

    A notification said that the prices of petroleum products will be the same as notified on November 15, 2021.

    Petrol would be sold at Rs145.82 per liter; High-Speed Diesel at Rs142.62 per liter; kerosene oil at Rs116.53 per liter and light diesel oil at Rs114.07 per liter, according to a press statement issued by the finance ministry here.

  • KSA extends oil on deferred payments to Pakistan

    KSA extends oil on deferred payments to Pakistan

    ISLAMABAD: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has signed an agreement to extend an oil facility of $100 million per month for one year to Pakistan on deferred payments.

    Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, CEO of Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) exchanged the Financing Agreement with Omer Ayub Khan, Minister for Economic Affairs for the Import of Saudi Goods on Monday.

    Talking on the occasion, Minister for Economic Affairs stated that Pakistan values the bilateral and brotherly relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and thanked KSA for extending support for implementing the infrastructure and energy projects in Pakistan.

    KSA helped Pakistan generously during the earthquake of 2005. Both the countries signed projects worth $500 million during the visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to the Kingdom in May this year. As per the Financing Agreement, the SFD will extend the financing facility up to $100 million per month for one year for the import of crude oil and petroleum products from Saudi Arabia, which will be extended for another year.

    The CEO, SFD stated that Saudi Arabia holds relations with Pakistan in the highest esteem and assured to extend full support for the implementation of development projects in Pakistan. Both sides expressed their strong commitment to enhancing bilateral economic relations in the future.

  • Petroleum dealers call off strike on successful talks

    Petroleum dealers call off strike on successful talks

    ISLAMABAD: The talks between the government and Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association ended in a success which has led to the strike being called off.

    “The talks between the government and petroleum dealers association have led to the strike being called off,” Hammad Azhar, Minister of Energy said in a Tweet on Thursday night.

    Earlier, the petroleum dealers association observed a shutdown strike on Thursday for raising profit margin on sale of petroleum products.

    Most of the fuel pumps were remained closed during the day. Even those pumps owned by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) which announced to open their outlets, were also closed for the shortage of stock.

    The energy minister in his Tweet said that the government will notify 0.99 paisa increase in their margins after due approval from the cabinet as per the existing summary. “After six months we will move to % (per cent) system up to 4.4 per cent margin,” he added.

    Earlier, PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan said petroleum dealers had been in a difficult position due to the high cost of business and low margins. He said that the government guarantees a margin of only 2 per cent on sales of fuel oil in the face of rising electricity tariffs.

    “We demand the government to cancel our petrol pumps licenses,” he said, adding that nearly 50 per cent of the petrol pumps will close down permanently with license cancellation as no one will reapply for acquisition.

    “Immediate increase on ex-depot price in dealers’ margin for HSD and MS without burdening common people and without increasing prices of petroleum products, absorbing dealers’ margin increase by reducing Sales Tax and PDL,” he demanded.

    A day earlier, Gas & Oil Pakistan Company Limited (GO), with the largest retail outlet network of 1,000 outlets in the private sector and the largest network of company-owned, company-operated (COCO) outlets in Pakistan assured the customers that all its outlets would remain open and continue to function normally.

    “GO remains firm in its commitment to fulfilling the fueling needs of the nation come what may,” the company said in a tweet.

    Shell Pakistan also announced to open its outlet to serve the nation. “Shell Pakistan announces that they will not participate in the strike on November 25, 2021,” according to the company. All the company-operated retail stations will be opened to serve the customers, it added.

    Hascol, another OMC, assured that all its owned and company-operated (COCO) stations, including all service stations on the M2 Lahore-Islamabad Motorway will remain open and ready to serve them as per routine.

    Pakistan State Oil (PSO) also showed its commitment that all COCO stations will remain open nationwide and continue to function normally. “PSO is committed to serving the nation during such challenging time,” it said.

  • OMCs shun petroleum dealers strike, to open outlets

    OMCs shun petroleum dealers strike, to open outlets

    ISLAMABAD: Leading Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have announced to open their outlets across the country on November 25, 2021, in order to ensure facilitating consumers.

    A shutdown strike has been called by the Petroleum Dealers Association on November 25, 2021.

    Gas & Oil Pakistan Company Limited (GO), with the largest retail outlet network of 1,000 outlets in the private sector and the largest network of company-owned, company operated (COCO) outlets in Pakistan assured the customers that all its outlets would remain open and continue to function normally.

    “GO remains firm in its commitment to fulfilling the fueling needs of the nation come what may,” the company said in a tweet.

    Shell Pakistan also announced to open its outlet to serve the nation. “Shell Pakistan announces that they will not participate in the strike on November 25, 2021,” according to the company. All the company-operated retail stations will be opened to serve the customers, it added.

    Hascol, another OMC, assured that all its owned and company-operated (COCO) stations, including all service stations on the M2 Lahore-Islamabad Motorway will remain open and ready to serve them as per routine.

    Pakistan State Oil (PSO) also showed its commitment that all COCO stations will remain open nationwide and continue to function normally. “PSO is committed to serving the nation during such challenging time,” it said.

  • Petroleum prices kept unchanged for next fortnight

    Petroleum prices kept unchanged for next fortnight

    ISLAMABAD: The government on Monday decided to keep prices of petroleum products unchanged at the level of November 05, 2021, for the next fortnight.

    The prices will remain unchanged from November 16, 2021, till the end of the month: Petrol Rs145.82 per liter; High-Speed Diesel (HSD) Rs142.62 per liter; Kerosene Oil Rs116.53 per liter; and Light Diesel Oil Rs114.07 per liter.

    A statement issued by the Finance Division said that despite rising petroleum products prices globally, the Prime Minister of Pakistan has kindly rejected the proposal for enhancement in the prices and desired that the prices of petroleum products from November 16, 2021, shall remain the same as notified on November 04, 2021, for providing maximum relief to the general public.

    The decision has been taken in the public interest. The government will bear the burden by making adjustments in the sales tax rates, etc.

    Muzzammil Aslam, spokesman to the finance minister in a Tweet said: “History has been made today. In today’s petrol prices the Sales Tax is effective zero per cent.”

  • Petrol tax rate cut by 73% to lower global oil price impact

    Petrol tax rate cut by 73% to lower global oil price impact

    ISLAMABAD: The federal government has announced a reduction of 73 per cent in sales tax rate on supply of petrol in order lower the impact of high global oil prices.

    In this regard the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued a notification i.e. SRO 1450(I)/2021 to reduce the sales tax rate on petrol and High Speed Diesel (HSD).

    According to the notification the rate of sales tax has been reduced to 1.43 per cent from the rate of 6.84 per cent. The FBR issued previous notification SRO 1327(I)/2021 on October 7, 2021.

    The revenue body also reduced the rate of sales tax on High Speed Diesel (HSD) to 6.75 per cent from 10.32 per cent.

    However, the sales tax rates on kerosene and Light Diesel Oil (LDO) have been kept unchanged at 6.70 per cent and 0.20 per cent, respectively.

    It is worth mentioning here that the normal rate of sales tax is 17 per cent. The present government has already reduced the rate of sales tax on petroleum products to the lowest level to minimize the impact of sharp rise in global oil prices.

    The government on November 04, 2021 notified increased in petroleum prices, which are now all time high.

    The petrol was fixed at Rs145.82 per litre instead of Rs137.79, showing an increase of Rs8.03. The price has been increased from previous high of Rs137.79.

    Similarly, the price of high speed diesel has been increased by Rs8.14 to Rs142.62 from Rs134.48.

    The rate of kerosene oil has been increased by 6.27 per liter to Rs116.53 from Rs110.26. Likewise, the price of light diesel oil has been increased by Rs5.72 per liter to Rs114.07 from Rs108.35.

    A notification issued by the Finance Division stated that on November 01, 2021, the prime minister had not agreed with the proposals worked out by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and the finance division directed to maintain the prices as notified on October 16, 2021.

    It is pertinent to mention that maintaining the October 16, 2021 petroleum prices had some underlying concerns for cash flow issues due to short recovery of the cost, according to the statement.

    It is important to note that in the previous petroleum prices, already a significant relief was provided to the consumers. The government is cognizant of its responsibility to provide maximum relief to the consumers.

    “This has dented the petroleum levy budget of Rs152.5 billion during July – September, 2021 as compared to Rs20 billion realized only,” it said.

    Foregoing in view, prices of petroleum products have been increased partially as compared to the prices being worked out by the OGRA. If the government had accepted OGRA’s recommendations, the new prices would have been much higher.

    Infact, the government has absorbed the bulk of the pressure after making adjustment after making adjustment in the sales tax and petroleum levy. The collection of petroleum levy is far short of its fixed target for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2021/2022, it added.

  • ITFC provides $761.5 million for Pakistan oil, gas import

    ITFC provides $761.5 million for Pakistan oil, gas import

    ISLAMABAD: The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) will provide financing of an amount $761.5 million to Pakistan for import of oil and gas.

    In this regard a financing agreement amounting to $761.5 million has been signed between the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Government of Pakistan and International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) for import of crude oil, refined petroleum products and LNG etc.

    The financing agreement was signed by Mian Asad Hayaud Din, Secretary, EAD and Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO, ITFC. The facility has been made effective immediately and ready for utilization by Pakistan State Oil Company Ltd (PSO), Pak Arab Refinery Ltd (PARCO) and Pakistan LNG Ltd (PLL) for import of oil and gas.

    This Syndicated Murabaha Financing facility of $ 761.5 million is for a period of one year and is a part of umbrella Framework Agreement signed with ITFC in June 2021 for total envelop of $ 4.5 billion ($ 1.5 million annually) for a period of three-years.

    Originally, ITFC had agreed to provide the financing of US$ 300 million. However, due to growing energy needs of the country and enhanced confidence level of international financial institutions on economic reforms and recovery amid COVID-19 pandemic, the financing was over-subscribed by 2.5 times i.e. from $ 300 million to from $ 761.5 million.

    The financing facility will also be helpful in financing oil and gas import bill of the country and easing of pressure on foreign exchange reserves of the country.

    Mian Asad Hayaud Din, Secretary, EAD appreciated the support for ITFc for arranging US$ 761.5 million for trade financing. He lauded the efforts of Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO, ITFC and his team for making this transaction successful.

    The ITFC and GOP have also agreed to continue their cooperation in future to mobilize financial resources to support Pakistan in its endeavours to achieve its economic growth targets through ITFC financing facility.

  • Petrol price increases to new high of Rs145.82 per liter

    Petrol price increases to new high of Rs145.82 per liter

    ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday night announced an increase of Rs8.03 to Rs145.82 per liter in the price of petrol effective from November 05, 2021.

    The government announced increase in prices of all petroleum products.

    The price has been increased from previous high of Rs137.79.

    Similarly, the price of high speed diesel has been increased by Rs8.14 to Rs142.62 from Rs134.48.

    The rate of kerosene oil has been increased by 6.27 per liter to Rs116.53 from Rs110.26. Likewise, the price of light diesel oil has been increased by Rs5.72 per liter to Rs114.07 from Rs108.35.

    A notification issued by the Finance Division stated that on November 01, 2021, the prime minister had not agreed with the proposals worked out by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and the finance division directed to maintain the prices as notified on October 16, 2021.

    It is pertinent to mention that maintaining the October 16, 2021 petroleum prices had some underlying concerns for cash flow issues due to short recovery of the cost, according to the statement.

    It is important to note that in the previous petroleum prices, already a significant relief was provided to the consumers. The government is cognizant of its responsibility to provide maximum relief to the consumers.

    “This has dented the petroleum levy budget of Rs152.5 billion during July – September, 2021 as compared to Rs20 billion realized only,” it said.

    Foregoing in view, prices of petroleum products have been increased partially as compared to the prices being worked out by the OGRA. If the government had accepted OGRA’s recommendations, the new prices would have been much higher.

    Infact, the government has absorbed the bulk of the pressure after making adjustment after making adjustment in the sales tax and petroleum levy. The collection of petroleum levy is far short of its fixed target for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2021/2022, it added.

  • Pakistan’s October oil sales highest after May 2018

    Pakistan’s October oil sales highest after May 2018

    KARACHI: Pakistan’s domestic oil sales in October 2021 recorded 1.99 million tons, which is the highest since May 2018, analysts at Topline Research said on Tuesday.

    Pakistan’s oil sales have increased by 17 per cent YoY to 1.99 million tons in October 2021 (and also up 3 per cent MoM), which is the highest monthly sales after May-2018.

    In first four months of fiscal year 2021/2022, Pakistan oil sales have increased by 22 per cent YoY to 7.8 million tons driven by macro recovery.

    High Speed Diesel (HSD) registered strong growth in October 2021 and was up by 25 per cent YoY to 0.8 million tons. The analysts attribute the growth to increased transportation activity and Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) growth.

    Petrol sales were up 12 per cent YoY to 0.8 million in October 2021 led by rising car sales. This is despite a 12 per cent increase in petrol prices during the month indicating strong demand.

    Furnace Oil (FO) sales also grew by 12 per cent YoY to 0.3 million tons. FO growth may improve further in the winter season as Pakistan is likely to witness gas and RLNG shortages.

    Amongst the listed companies, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Shell Pakistan (SHEL) remained outperformers as sales were up 35 per cent YoY and 22 per cent YoY, respectively.

    On other hand, Hascol Petroleum (HASCOL) and Attock Petroleum (APL) reported sales decline of 73 per cent YoY and 3 per cent YoY, respectively.

    PSO achieved a market share of 52 per cent in October 2021 compared to 45 per cent in October 2020. MS and HSD sales of PSO have grown by 32 per cent and 46 per cent YoY, respectively.

    SHEL sales were mainly led by higher HSD and MS sales (up 38 per cent YoY and 11 per cent YoY, respectively). APL lower sales were mainly owing to 42 per cent YoY lower FO sales.

    HASCOL continued to face sales decline across all the segments driven by its liquidity crunch.

  • OGDCL declares Rs33.63 billion net profit in first quarter

    OGDCL declares Rs33.63 billion net profit in first quarter

    KARACHI: Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) on Friday announced its financial result, posting a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs33.629 billion during the first quarter ended September 30, 2021.

    The profit of the company has surged by 44 per cent when compared with the net profit of Rs23.344 billion in the first quarter of the last fiscal year.

    The company declared earnings per share at Rs7.82 for the quarter under review as compared with Rs5.43 in the same quarter of the last year.

    Alongside the result, the company announced an interim cash dividend of Rs 1.75/share for the first quarter of fiscal year 2021/2022 (Rs 2.00 in 1QFY21).

    According to Arif Habib Research, topline clocked-in at Rs71,531 million in 1QFY22 against Rs56,347 million in same period last year (SPLY), up by 27 per cent YoY, on the back of i) a massive 70 per cent YoY jump in oil prices, and ii) 4 per cent YoY growth in oil production. Whereas, gas production plummeted by 10 per cent YoY during the quarter.  On a sequential basis, net sales ascended by 14 per cent given 9 per cent QoQ growth in oil prices along 2 per cent QoQ higher oil production.

    The exploration costs declined by 23 per cent YoY arriving at Rs 2,283 million in 1QFY22 given dry well (Bago Phulphoto) reported during the quarter compared to three dry wells (Jun-01, Umair North West and Jatoi-01) incurred in SPLY. Whereas on QoQ basis, exploration costs plunged by 65 per cent given two drys (Washuk-01 and Kambir) and higher seismic activity incurred in 4QFY21.

    Other income in 1QFY22 settled at Rs 10,878 million versus Rs 5,958 million in SPLY, significantly up 83 per cent YoY, amid exchange gain on foreign currency tagged with higher income from cash and cash balances. Similarly, other income on QoQ basis climbed up by 89 per cent due to USD appreciation against Rs.

    The company booked effective taxation at 36 per cent in 1QFY22 vis-à-vis 31 per cent in 1QFY21.