Natural gas will not be available to supply the local market starting Wednesday if concerned authorities don’t take the necessary measures, the Association of Petroleum Importing Companies in Lebanon announced on Friday.
The current supply of natural gas available in company tanks has dropped to “very low and dangerous” levels, and it is expected to drop further and reach below 1,000 tonnes soon, the association warned.
When this supply is depleted, which it is expected to do by Wednesday, August 25, the companies will no longer be able to supply the market with natural gas.
Petroleum importers have already requested approval from the Central Bank of Lebanon for a ship, anchored in Lebanese waters since July 26th and loaded with around 5,000 tonnes of gas, to unload, the association noted.
Several additional requests for other ships have also been submitted.
Additionally, the association is awaiting the arrival of a ship carrying around 1,700 tonnes of gas (enough to cover the market for two days), which had previously been granted permission to unload in Lebanon.
In light of the dwindling gas supply, the association urged the concerned authorities to take swift measures and agree on the price of gas so that importers can buy and distribute it, preventing the depletion of this vital commodity.
