ERP integration and automatic tank sensors to provide real-time visibility of petroleum stocks and strengthen regulatory oversight
ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) is developing a digital oil supply-chain platform to obtain petroleum data directly from oil marketing companies (OMCs) and refineries through Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and monitor stock positions using Automatic Tank Gauging (ATG) sensors.
According to official documents, OGRA is pursuing the digitisation of Pakistan’s oil supply chain to improve the accuracy, reliability and timeliness of petroleum stock and supply data.
The regulator has already developed a digital platform providing visibility across the oil supply chain, while ERP integration of oil pipelines is currently under way and is expected to be completed by the end of September 2026.
A key component of the initiative is obtaining data directly from OMCs and refineries through their ERP systems and receiving stock-position information through ATG sensors.
Once operational, the system is expected to improve the quality and timeliness of data used by OGRA to assess petroleum product requirements during Product Review Meetings and subsequently monitor supply-chain operations.
Real-time petroleum stock monitoring
At present, OGRA monitors overall petroleum stock availability held by OMCs and refineries. However, the authority does not maintain a dedicated real-time ERP system specifically for monitoring customs-bonded stocks.
According to the documents, customs-bonded stocks, including their duty-paid and non-duty-paid status, in-bonding, ex-bonding and bonded-stock reconciliation, fall under the jurisdiction of Pakistan Customs and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) under the Customs Act, 1969.
The digitisation initiative is also expected to support FBR and Pakistan Customs by providing access to more timely information on petroleum inventories.
OGRA has already provided FBR and Pakistan Customs with access to its digital platform, allowing the tax authority and Customs to obtain real-time data.
This access is expected to enable FBR and Pakistan Customs to improve reconciliation of petroleum products held at public and private bonded storage facilities.
Digital platform to support revenue assurance
The proposed system is expected to improve transparency and regulatory oversight while supporting revenue assurance and strengthening Pakistan Customs’ ability to monitor the movement of petroleum products.
It could also provide regulators with more timely visibility of petroleum inventories across the supply chain, potentially improving coordination between OGRA, OMCs, refineries, FBR and Pakistan Customs.
The planned integration of ERP systems and ATG sensors represents a move towards more automated and real-time monitoring of Pakistan’s petroleum supply chain.
The initiative could ultimately provide authorities with a more comprehensive view of petroleum stocks, helping improve supply planning, regulatory compliance and oversight of product movements.