In a major development for Pakistan’s energy sector, Attock Refinery Limited (ARL) has temporarily shut down its main crude distillation unit. This unit processes 32,400 barrels of crude oil per day. The shutdown happened due to extremely low crude stock levels after several local gas fields in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) were closed.
The ARL management confirmed the decision in an announcement to the Pakistan Stock Exchange on May 27, 2025. The refinery’s main unit will stay offline until June 1, 2025. This move comes as the country struggles to balance local gas production with an increased inflow of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Why Did the Shutdown Happen?
Adil Khattak, Managing Director of ARL, explained the reason behind this decision. The government temporarily closed several gas fields to manage high pressure in the country’s main gas pipeline. This pressure spike resulted from excess LNG imports, raising line pack pressure beyond 5 billion cubic feet (bcf).
To control this, authorities restricted outflows from local gas fields. This action immediately reduced both gas and crude oil production. With limited crude oil available, ARL had no option but to halt operations at its key unit. The situation is already affecting the petroleum and refining sectors. Many fear this could disrupt the energy supply chain for industries and consumers.
Impact on the Energy Industry
This incident highlights ongoing weaknesses in Pakistan’s energy infrastructure. Heavy reliance on imported LNG, combined with limited domestic gas storage, has created supply bottlenecks. The disruption at ARL shows how fragile the country’s refining operations remain under these conditions.
Energy experts urge the government and industry leaders to prioritize infrastructure upgrades. They recommend expanding gas storage, improving pipeline systems, and developing an integrated supply chain to prevent future crises.