ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has sharply increased indigenous gas curtailment to 350 million cubic feet per day after pipeline linepack surged to 4.9 billion cubic feet, exposing deep imbalances in the country gas supply chain. The spike follows a steep reduction in RLNG offtake by the power sector, which dropped to just 122 million cubic feet per day.

Officials at the Petroleum Division said the sudden fall in power sector consumption disrupted system equilibrium, forcing authorities to throttle local gas production to manage mounting pipeline pressure. With demand unable to absorb available supply, linepack levels swelled beyond optimal operational limits, triggering emergency adjustments.

Curtailment had already reached 250 million cubic feet per day earlier in the week before being raised further to stabilize the network. The move has alarmed exploration and production companies, which warn that repeated shutdowns of gas fields could permanently damage reservoir pressure and reduce long term output potential.

In parallel, the government is preparing to divert 35 LNG cargoes to the international market in 2026 to manage surplus volumes. The plan includes 24 cargoes under long term contracts with QatarEnergy and 11 from Eni. No diversions were made in January or February, but the process will begin in March with one Eni shipment.

Energy analysts note that fluctuating power sector demand and rigid LNG import commitments have complicated gas management. Lower electricity generation from RLNG based plants has reduced consumption at a time when contracted cargo arrivals remain fixed.

The widening gap between supply commitments and domestic demand highlights structural challenges in Pakistan gas planning. Without synchronized demand forecasting and flexible contract management, the country risks continued production curtailments, financial strain and potential long term damage to indigenous energy assets.