OGRA hikes LNG prices by up to 2.63 per cent

ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has increased the price of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by up to 2.63 per cent, according to a notification issued on Thursday.

As per the notification, the price of LNG on the Sui Northern system has been raised by $0.28 per Metric Million British Thermal Unit (mmbtu), taking the new price to $12.01 per mmbtu.

Similarly, the price on the Sui Southern system has also been increased by $0.28 per mmbtu, with the new rate set at $11.01 per mmbtu.

It is worth noting that in August, OGRA had raised LNG prices by up to 1.46 per cent. At that time, the price on the Sui Southern system was set at $10.73 per mmbtu after an increase of $0.15 per mmbtu.

Pakistan is seeking to delay dozens of LNG cargoes from Qatar starting in 2026, as the country grapples with weak demand, mounting losses on gas sales, and growing reliance on cheaper solar power.

Officials said that Pakistan wants to defer at least 24 LNG cargoes in 2026 under its long-term contracts with Qatar.

That is far higher than the five cargoes already pushed from 2025 into the following year. Pakistan currently imports around nine LNG shipments a month under two deals with Qatar, totaling 108 cargoes annually.

Pakistan to renegotiate LNG deal with Qatar amid rising energy costs

According to a report Bloomberg, Islamabad is considering deferring as many as 177 Qatari LNG cargoes over the next five years — an average of more than 35 cargoes annually — until after 2031. If confirmed, the plan would mark a major retreat from LNG, a fuel Pakistan began importing in 2015.

Pakistan has also managed to defer nine shipments this year from Italy’s ENI under a 12-cargo annual contract, though it remains unclear whether further deferrals will be agreed in 2026.