ISLAMABAD: Gwadar Gas Port Limited (GGPL) is awaiting approval to get a provisional construction license from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to import a ‘virtual’ LNG pipeline to provide gas at half price to the deep sea port, industry and residents of Gwadar City, CGPL has told parliament, Pakistani media reported. 
A liquefied natural gas virtual system, or LNG virtual distribution grid, is one of the solutions used to supply gas to populations in places where it is not possible to build regasification terminals. It consists of a small or medium-scale liquefaction plant, a fleet of cryogenic transport tanks, mobile regasification units and satellite regasification stations (SRSs) located in strategic points.
This means the fleet of transport tanks can connect the liquefaction plant with the SRSs, where the LNG is regasified and introduced into the network of distribution pipelines to reach people’s homes and industry.
GGPL is a joint venture comprising the Pakistan GasPort, Al-Qasim Gas and Jamshoro Joint Venture. It plans to invest $94.04 million in a ‘virtual pipeline’ to deliver imported LNG at the doorsteps of industrial and other private sector consumers at competitive prices via cryogenic bowsers.
“We are waiting for the issuance of National Occupational Classification (NOC) from OGRA,” the Business Recorder newspaper quoted GGPL Chairman Iqbal Z Ahmad as saying at a briefing before the Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives during a visit to Gwadar. “We will provide 50 percent low-priced gas as compared to LPG to the consumers. We will provide a liquefied cylinder with a fitted device to convert into gas to the local people at half the price of an LPG cylinder.”
“The GGPL has completed all formalities and is waiting for Ogra to issue a provisional construction license to the GGPL,” Ahmad said. “We will deliver gas at the doorstep of the customers without any subsidy or use of any government-owned gas infrastructure in the country.” 
He said despite the development of Gwadar Port, industrial activity in the free zone was held up due to a lack of gas, power, and water supplies. Recently, the people of Gwadar have held large demonstrations, including this week, to demand basic needs.
“Gwadar International Terminal Limited (GITL) and Gwadar Gasport (Private) Limited (GGPL) have agreed to make gas available at Gwadar Port for its development and for power generation and general industry and also to meet demands of the local population,” Ahmad said.
“The project envisages that it shall have a floating storage unit (LNG vessel) to be berthed permanently at Berth 3 of the Port. The LNG will be replenished in the Floating Storage Unit (FSU) using LNG carriers; Qatar Abu Dhabi/Oman being close to Gwadar will be sources of supply. The company targets delivery of LNG at the doorstep of customers, at competitive prices. Around 300 mmcfd or 2.25 million tons per year (MTPA) of LNG will become available.”
Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) chairman Naseer Ahmed Kashani told the Senate Committee he had held a meeting with the prime minister to discuss this matter, adding that the PM had constituted a committee to address issues relating to framework and regulation. He said the Committee would take a final decision on the matter.