Pakistan’s energy consumption slows down

Energy supply and consumption in Pakistan have remained low during financial year 2008 to 2009 as compared to previous years, authorities said, due to the global economic recession. Consumption of petroleum products, gas and coal during July 2008 to March 2009 decreased by 3.4%, 2.5% and 26.5% respectively year-on-year. Production of crude oil decreased to 66,531 barrels per day (bpd) during July 2008 to March 2009, from 70,165 bpd during the same period last year, a 5.2% decline. On average, the transport sector consumed most of the petroleum products at 50.6%, followed by the power industry at 33.1% and industry at 10.3%. However, natural gas production showed an opposite trend. The average production of natural gas per day stood at 3,986.5 million cubic feet (cu ft.) during July 2008 to March 2009, a 0.52% increase compared to 3,965.9 million cu ft. the year before. (July 1, 2009)