KARACHI: Pakistan has rejected three expensive spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo offers for December 2026 and January 2027 after international suppliers quoted prices of up to $31 per million British thermal units (MMBtu). State-owned Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) declined the bids, citing high prices amid volatile global energy market conditions.
For December deliveries, TotalEnergies Gas & Power Limited submitted the lowest bid at $27.30 per MMBtu, while QatarEnergy Trading LLC quoted $31 per MMBtu. Although TotalEnergies emerged as the lowest evaluated bidder, PLL rejected both offers. For January 2027, TotalEnergies submitted the lowest bid at $27.10 per MMBtu, equivalent to Rs. 24.2816 billion for the cargo, but the offer was also turned down.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is seeking additional LNG supplies from Qatar through its existing long-term agreements as winter demand approaches and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz threaten international energy supplies. Federal Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik visited Qatar with a high-level delegation and met Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, to discuss increasing LNG deliveries under the two existing supply agreements.
PLL initially issued the tender on November 4 for two spot LNG cargoes of 140,000 cubic meters each, scheduled for delivery at Port Qasim. The original bidding deadline of November 6 was extended to November 10 following requests from international suppliers. However, the high prices offered have added pressure to Pakistan’s efforts to secure additional LNG supplies ahead of the winter season.
