50,000 Mega Watt Electricity for 500 Years can be Produced from Thar Coal Reservoirs--Samar Mubarakm
Bilal_Mushi
Minister (2k+ posts)
All this is nonsense!Please see the below report from Kamran Riaz:
Pakistan, people, who have absolutely no knowledge of an issue under discussion, tell conspiracy theories about it with such conviction that one starts believing that perhaps these people are narrating a firsthand account of acts to which they were eye witnesses.
Something similar is happening with Thar Coal today. Print and electronic media are awash with stories about how we have the worlds largest reserves of coal in the Thar desert but still we are not benefiting from this coal.
Being very familiar with the Thar coal project in my professional capacity, I find the proliferation of such myths quite amusing, even bewildering. Perhaps, it would be better for us as a nation to investigate the facts of an issue first instead of immediately resorting to emotional sloganeering.
Coal occurs in nature in different types. The deposits at Thar are of Lignite type of coal. These deposits have very high moisture content with water level approaching almost 50% and are considered to be of inferior quality. This coal is highly volatile and cannot be transported over long distances. So, exporting this coal after extraction from ground or transporting it to more convenient locations is not possible. That is why it is suitable primarily for mine-mouth power generation.
The size of these reserves is being reported as 175 billion tons and this figure is being repeatedly touted on the media as enough for fulfilling our power generation needs for centuries to come. At the moment the top ten countries with largest proved recoverable lignite coal reserves in the world are as follows:
Proved recoverable Lignite Coal reserves: (see table)
Energy council report
As shown in the table above, the country with the largest proved recoverable reserves of lignite coal in the world is Australia with about 37 billion ton with the sum of all such reserves all over the world being about 150 billion ton. So if the recoverable lignite reserves at Thar are actually proved to be 175 billion tons, then these would be greater than total reserves all over the world combined.
The fact is that the reported reserves of 175 billion tons at Thar are not proved-recoverable reserves but rather the bulk of these reserves have a relatively low degree of geological assurance. Out of these purported 175 billion tons, only about 2.7 billion tons are measured reserves while about 9.3 billion tons are indicated reserves. The remaining 163 billion tons are inferred reserves (lying within a radius of 1.2 to 4.8 km from a point of coal measurement) and hypothetical reserves (undiscovered coal, generally an extension of inferred reserves in which coal lies more than 4.8 km from a point of measurement). It is obvious that given the geological evidence so far available, the claim of 175 billion tons of reserves is highly speculative. If the Thar coal reserves had really been that big as is being claimed then there would have been a long queue of international mining giants trying to get concessions for mining rights. If such companies can go to places like war torn Iraq, they can certainly come to Pakistan. But the apparent lack of interest from foreign investors as a tell tale sign that these claims of huge and profitable reserves are not believed by the major players in the field.
However, even if these reserves are for example 3 billion tons instead of 175 billion tons, still significant amount of electricity can be produced from Thar coal.
The other common myth is that there is some organized conspiracy to stop utilization of Thar coal. Some people blame it on oil marketing companies that are allegedly afraid that the coal from Thar will significantly reduce oil consumption in the country. Others blame it on foreign powers that do not want Pakistan to be economically independent.
If anything the delay in exploitation of Thar coal can be attributed primarily to the economic rationale and to a lesser extent to the traditional slow pace of our bureaucracy. Much is made of the story of the Chinese company Shenhua which did a preliminary feasibility study of Thar coal but decided not to pursue the project further allegedly on disagreement with proposed tariff. In fact after doing a preliminary feasibility study in 2002, Shenhua had reached the conclusion that the Thar coal project was not feasible purely an economic basis at that time because the cost of extraction of coal was very high and based on international coal prices at the time, it made more sense to import coal for power generation. However, the company recommended that Thar coal should still be exploited for social reasons as the project would help in social uplift of the extremely backward Thar area.
A primary determinant in successful exploitation of any mineral resource is the cost of exploration vs. cost of import. For example, Canada has one of the largest reserves of oil in the world. But unlike Middle East where it is relatively much cheaper to extract oil from the ground, the cost of oil exploration is much higher in Canada. So it is not economically feasible for Canada to extract oil from its own resources at a higher cost when it can import the same from foreign sources at a much cheaper cost. However, as the price of imported oil increases, Canada will be extracting more and more oil from local sources. If the cost of extracting local oil for Canada is say $ 125, it does not make much sense to extract local oil when foreign oil is available at $ 40 a barrel but when the oil price in international markets rises to $ 150, Canadians will be going all out to extract more and more oil locally as it now becomes cheaper.
Developing the mining infrastructure is a much more time consuming process as compared to installing a power plant and is likely to take anywhere between 6-8 years. Therefore, the previous Sindh government could have started work on the mining of coal as that phase is likely to take about six years. In the mean time, it could have commissioned a bankable feasibility study for power generation. Furthermore, additional uses of Thar coal could have been investigated (as is being done now) like gasification, rather than unnecessarily focusing on making it an exclusively power generation project.
It is also another myth that this project will alleviate the need for hydel electricity. The fact is that any electricity eventually produced from Thar coal would be at least twice as expensive as that generated from large dams. The main problem in electricity sector is not how to generate electricity, but how to generate electricity at an affordable price. If the issue had only been power generation than we also have abundant wind and solar resources, but these cannot be fully utilized because electricity produced from these sources would be prohibitively expensive. The average power generation cost given the current generation mix of Pakistan is about 6.5 cents/kwh. Electricity from Thar coal would provide relief to consumers if it can be generated at a cost lower than this average.
However, previous Sindh government used to criticize NEPRA that had given an indicative tariff of 7.8 cents/kwh to Thar coal project saying that the tariff was too low and unacceptable. As a matter of fact that tariff was the highest coal based tariff anywhere in the world.
All this does not mean that Thar coal project should be abandoned. Given the current electricity crisis and the need to increase usage of indigenous resources for power generation, Thar coal can still prove to be a useful source of energy. Any electricity generated from Thar coal might help in reducing the need of importing expensive furnace oil. Gasification can also be a potential use of Thar coal.
The involvement of a professionally managed and reputed company like Engro Pakistan is also a good omen. Let us hope that it will prove to be a very beneficial project for the country. What it will do is diversify our electricity generation sources, save us some foreign exchange and decrease the present gap between supply and demand of electricity. Most importantly, it will bring much needed development and employment to Thar area.
(The writer is a Chartered Financial Analyst and International Energy Consultant who has worked extensively in electricity sector in Pakistan.)
Top ten countries
Lignite Coal Reserves
(Million tons)
01. Australia 37.30
02. USA 30.24
03. China 18.60
04. Serbia (Kosovo) 13.50
05. Russian Federation 10.45
06. Germany 6.56
07. India 4.60
08. Greece 3.90
09. Kazakhstan 3.13
10. Hungry 2.93
Total proved Recoverable
Lignite Coal reserves
in all the countries of the
world combined 149.86
Pakistan, people, who have absolutely no knowledge of an issue under discussion, tell conspiracy theories about it with such conviction that one starts believing that perhaps these people are narrating a firsthand account of acts to which they were eye witnesses.
Something similar is happening with Thar Coal today. Print and electronic media are awash with stories about how we have the worlds largest reserves of coal in the Thar desert but still we are not benefiting from this coal.
Being very familiar with the Thar coal project in my professional capacity, I find the proliferation of such myths quite amusing, even bewildering. Perhaps, it would be better for us as a nation to investigate the facts of an issue first instead of immediately resorting to emotional sloganeering.
Coal occurs in nature in different types. The deposits at Thar are of Lignite type of coal. These deposits have very high moisture content with water level approaching almost 50% and are considered to be of inferior quality. This coal is highly volatile and cannot be transported over long distances. So, exporting this coal after extraction from ground or transporting it to more convenient locations is not possible. That is why it is suitable primarily for mine-mouth power generation.
The size of these reserves is being reported as 175 billion tons and this figure is being repeatedly touted on the media as enough for fulfilling our power generation needs for centuries to come. At the moment the top ten countries with largest proved recoverable lignite coal reserves in the world are as follows:
Proved recoverable Lignite Coal reserves: (see table)
Energy council report
As shown in the table above, the country with the largest proved recoverable reserves of lignite coal in the world is Australia with about 37 billion ton with the sum of all such reserves all over the world being about 150 billion ton. So if the recoverable lignite reserves at Thar are actually proved to be 175 billion tons, then these would be greater than total reserves all over the world combined.
The fact is that the reported reserves of 175 billion tons at Thar are not proved-recoverable reserves but rather the bulk of these reserves have a relatively low degree of geological assurance. Out of these purported 175 billion tons, only about 2.7 billion tons are measured reserves while about 9.3 billion tons are indicated reserves. The remaining 163 billion tons are inferred reserves (lying within a radius of 1.2 to 4.8 km from a point of coal measurement) and hypothetical reserves (undiscovered coal, generally an extension of inferred reserves in which coal lies more than 4.8 km from a point of measurement). It is obvious that given the geological evidence so far available, the claim of 175 billion tons of reserves is highly speculative. If the Thar coal reserves had really been that big as is being claimed then there would have been a long queue of international mining giants trying to get concessions for mining rights. If such companies can go to places like war torn Iraq, they can certainly come to Pakistan. But the apparent lack of interest from foreign investors as a tell tale sign that these claims of huge and profitable reserves are not believed by the major players in the field.
However, even if these reserves are for example 3 billion tons instead of 175 billion tons, still significant amount of electricity can be produced from Thar coal.
The other common myth is that there is some organized conspiracy to stop utilization of Thar coal. Some people blame it on oil marketing companies that are allegedly afraid that the coal from Thar will significantly reduce oil consumption in the country. Others blame it on foreign powers that do not want Pakistan to be economically independent.
If anything the delay in exploitation of Thar coal can be attributed primarily to the economic rationale and to a lesser extent to the traditional slow pace of our bureaucracy. Much is made of the story of the Chinese company Shenhua which did a preliminary feasibility study of Thar coal but decided not to pursue the project further allegedly on disagreement with proposed tariff. In fact after doing a preliminary feasibility study in 2002, Shenhua had reached the conclusion that the Thar coal project was not feasible purely an economic basis at that time because the cost of extraction of coal was very high and based on international coal prices at the time, it made more sense to import coal for power generation. However, the company recommended that Thar coal should still be exploited for social reasons as the project would help in social uplift of the extremely backward Thar area.
A primary determinant in successful exploitation of any mineral resource is the cost of exploration vs. cost of import. For example, Canada has one of the largest reserves of oil in the world. But unlike Middle East where it is relatively much cheaper to extract oil from the ground, the cost of oil exploration is much higher in Canada. So it is not economically feasible for Canada to extract oil from its own resources at a higher cost when it can import the same from foreign sources at a much cheaper cost. However, as the price of imported oil increases, Canada will be extracting more and more oil from local sources. If the cost of extracting local oil for Canada is say $ 125, it does not make much sense to extract local oil when foreign oil is available at $ 40 a barrel but when the oil price in international markets rises to $ 150, Canadians will be going all out to extract more and more oil locally as it now becomes cheaper.
Developing the mining infrastructure is a much more time consuming process as compared to installing a power plant and is likely to take anywhere between 6-8 years. Therefore, the previous Sindh government could have started work on the mining of coal as that phase is likely to take about six years. In the mean time, it could have commissioned a bankable feasibility study for power generation. Furthermore, additional uses of Thar coal could have been investigated (as is being done now) like gasification, rather than unnecessarily focusing on making it an exclusively power generation project.
It is also another myth that this project will alleviate the need for hydel electricity. The fact is that any electricity eventually produced from Thar coal would be at least twice as expensive as that generated from large dams. The main problem in electricity sector is not how to generate electricity, but how to generate electricity at an affordable price. If the issue had only been power generation than we also have abundant wind and solar resources, but these cannot be fully utilized because electricity produced from these sources would be prohibitively expensive. The average power generation cost given the current generation mix of Pakistan is about 6.5 cents/kwh. Electricity from Thar coal would provide relief to consumers if it can be generated at a cost lower than this average.
However, previous Sindh government used to criticize NEPRA that had given an indicative tariff of 7.8 cents/kwh to Thar coal project saying that the tariff was too low and unacceptable. As a matter of fact that tariff was the highest coal based tariff anywhere in the world.
All this does not mean that Thar coal project should be abandoned. Given the current electricity crisis and the need to increase usage of indigenous resources for power generation, Thar coal can still prove to be a useful source of energy. Any electricity generated from Thar coal might help in reducing the need of importing expensive furnace oil. Gasification can also be a potential use of Thar coal.
The involvement of a professionally managed and reputed company like Engro Pakistan is also a good omen. Let us hope that it will prove to be a very beneficial project for the country. What it will do is diversify our electricity generation sources, save us some foreign exchange and decrease the present gap between supply and demand of electricity. Most importantly, it will bring much needed development and employment to Thar area.
(The writer is a Chartered Financial Analyst and International Energy Consultant who has worked extensively in electricity sector in Pakistan.)
Top ten countries
Lignite Coal Reserves
(Million tons)
01. Australia 37.30
02. USA 30.24
03. China 18.60
04. Serbia (Kosovo) 13.50
05. Russian Federation 10.45
06. Germany 6.56
07. India 4.60
08. Greece 3.90
09. Kazakhstan 3.13
10. Hungry 2.93
Total proved Recoverable
Lignite Coal reserves
in all the countries of the
world combined 149.86
Wadaich
Prime Minister (20k+ posts)
Accepted with a willing suspension of disbelief. (serious)
But there is something very strange:( and fishy. Whenever any positive thing comes about Pakistan, the advisors mostly newbies on the forum pop up from nowhere to spread hopelessness, and create confusion. Be it a case of Riko Dek Gold Mines, Coal reservoirs, Oil & gas field in Baluchistan................(serious)
Last edited:
Wadaich
Prime Minister (20k+ posts)
Brother! I hope you will be even happier if these natural reservoirs can address a part of our country's woes.:)
digitalzygot
Senator (1k+ posts)
Agree with wadaich
biomat
Minister (2k+ posts)
Dear wadaich bro
Assalam-o-alaikum
Brother we dont have deficiency of traitors & looters.. As recently MUSH declared that our missile program was failure, so as these researchers. Bhai if they are less, let them do it.. If they can spent so much amount either same or more than THAR COAL project on stupid small damms (which were damaged & carried away in floods) why not on this proj. Let them make it work or if not then let them make money. If our armed forces can make money on ARMS SALES why not civilians & scientists.
As one PPPP parliament member said that every one has a right to do corruption on equality..
May be there will be some good from this bad looking project..
==================
There is no doubt that Pakistan is special gift from ALLAH to us for our sacrifice & woe to ALLAH that we will establish HIS DEEN on this land..
If we want to ejoy the fruit without watering the plant or taking care of it, then every sane person know that whether he/she will be able to eat that fruit or not..
GOT THE POINT...
NIYYAT SAAF MANZIL ASAAN..
Jaza-k-ALLAH
Assalam-o-alaikum
Brother we dont have deficiency of traitors & looters.. As recently MUSH declared that our missile program was failure, so as these researchers. Bhai if they are less, let them do it.. If they can spent so much amount either same or more than THAR COAL project on stupid small damms (which were damaged & carried away in floods) why not on this proj. Let them make it work or if not then let them make money. If our armed forces can make money on ARMS SALES why not civilians & scientists.
As one PPPP parliament member said that every one has a right to do corruption on equality..
May be there will be some good from this bad looking project..
==================
There is no doubt that Pakistan is special gift from ALLAH to us for our sacrifice & woe to ALLAH that we will establish HIS DEEN on this land..
If we want to ejoy the fruit without watering the plant or taking care of it, then every sane person know that whether he/she will be able to eat that fruit or not..
GOT THE POINT...
NIYYAT SAAF MANZIL ASAAN..
Jaza-k-ALLAH
sahiL
Senator (1k+ posts)
hahahaha.....so wadaich bhai these newbies r another obstacle in our country's progress like zardari K
Wadaich
Prime Minister (20k+ posts)
Dear Brother Biomat!
Pakistan is Madina-e-Sani, a base for Khilaafat Ala Minhajun Nabuwa. The treachery always has limits. How much can they resist the establishment of Khilaafat- The United States of Islam. The buds of Khilaafat are getting out Inshaa' Allah, these freemasons and zionists are trying to root them out. But who can resisit the plans of Allah (SWT)? We just need to be prepared to sacrifice and get our youth to be ready for the same.
So far as the confusion/hopelessness mongers are considered, Just laugh them out. As we do in the case of CNN, BBC, ABC, Indian Media and people like Pervaiz Yahood (Hood) Bhai, Hassan Askari, Gen (retd) Talat Masood, Nazir Naji, Najam Sethi and the likes etc.
Wadaich
Prime Minister (20k+ posts)
جی نہیں ساحل پہ بیٹھے بھائی
! :)
یہ لوگ سائبر گوریلے ہوتے ہیں جو رجسٹر ہی اس کام کے لیے ہوتے ہیں. اور جب ان سے متلقۂ کوئی تھریڈ آتا ہے تو یہ سرگرم ہو جاتے ہیں.
imtiaz_bcn
Politcal Worker (100+ posts)
تھر کا کوئلہ ، پانچ سو برس تک بجلی
تھر کا کوئلہ ، پانچ سو برس تک بجلی
اعجاز مہر
بی بی سی اردو ڈاٹ کام ، اسلام آباد
پاکستان کے سابق جوہری سائنسدان اور منصوبہ بندی کمیشن کے رکن ڈاکٹر ثمر مبارک مند نے بتایا ہے کہ سندھ کے ریگستان میں جو کوئلہ ہے اس سے آئندہ پانچ سو برسوں تک سالانہ پچاس ہزار میگا واٹ بجلی یا دس کروڑ بیرل ڈیزل یا لاکھوں ٹن کھاد بنائی جا سکتی ہے۔
بی بی سی اردو کے ساتھ انٹرویو میں انہوں نے بتایا کہ صحرائے تھر جو کہ دنیا کا نواں بڑا صحرا ہے اس میں نو ہزار چھ سو مربع کلومیٹر میں ایک سو پچہتر بلین ٹن کوئلے کا ذخیرہ موجود ہے۔ انہوں نے بتایا کہ تھر میں ٹیوب ویل کھودتے وقت بائیس برس قبل اچانک پتہ چلا کہ وہاں کوئلے کے ذخائر موجود ہیں اور بعد میں سٹڈیز ہوئیں تو پتہ چلا کہ یہاں دنیا کی دوسری یا تیسری بڑی کوئلے کی کان موجود ہے۔
پاکستان کا جوہری دھماکہ کرنے والی سائنسدانوں کی ٹیم کے سربراہ اور میزائل پروگرام سے منسلک رہنے والے ڈاکٹر ثمر مبارک مند نے بتایا کہ تھر کول کے فیلڈ کو آٹھ بلاکس میں تقسیم کیا گیا ہے اور تاحال سندھ حکومت نے آسٹریلیا، متحدہ عرب امارات اور برطانیہ سمیت پانچ بلاکس الاٹ کیے ہیں جس میں ایک بلاک ان کے نام سے منسوب ہے۔
انہوں نے بتایا کہ ایک بلاک ایگرو کیمیکل کو ملا ہے جو تھر کول سے پیدا ہونے والی گیس سے کھاد بنانا چاہتے ہیں۔ ان کے بقول صحرا میں کان کنی کرنا قدرے مشکل اور مہنگا کام ہوتا ہے اس لیے وہ زیرِ زمین کوئلے کو جلا کر بجلی پیدا کرنے کے منصوبہ پر کام کر رہے ہیں اور آئندہ برس مارچ تک وہ اپنا پائلٹ پروگرام مکمل کرلیں گے۔
ڈاکٹر ثمر مبارک نے مزید بتایا کہ تھر کے اندر ریت کے نیچے پانی ہے جو سطح سمندر کے برابر ہے اور اس کے نیچے ایک مضبوط مٹی کی چھت ہے جس کے نیچے کوئلہ ہے۔ انہوں نے بتایا کہ جنوبی افریقہ میں جس طرح زیر زمین کوئلے سے بجلی پیدا ہو رہی ہے وہ بھی اس طرح کی ٹیکنالوجی کا استعمال کرنا چاہتے ہیں۔ جس سے ان کے بقول راکھ اور دیگر کیمیائی مواد زیرِ زمین رہے گا اور ماحولیاتی مسائل بھی نہیں ہوں گے۔
ان کے بقول وہ ڈرلنگ کے ذریعے آٹھ سے دس انچ چوڑا ایک پائپ نیچے ڈالیں گے اور اس سے ایک سو میٹر کے فاصلے پر اس طرح کا دوسرا پائپ ڈالیں گے۔ ایک پائپ سے آگ لگانے کے بعد ایک مخصوص دباؤ کے ساتھ ہوا چھوڑیں گے تو دوسرے پائپ سے گیس نکلے گی جو ٹربائن چلائے گی اور اس سے سٹیم یعنی بھاپ سے ایک اور ٹربائن چلے گی اور بجلی پیدا ہوگی۔ ان کے بقول کوئلے سے بننے والی گیس سوئی گیس کی طرح ہوگی جو جلانے کے کام بھی آسکتی ہے۔ آپ چاہیں تو اس سے بجلی بنائیں، ڈیزل بنائیں، کھاد بنائیں یا پھر گھریلوں یا صنعتی صارفین کو فراہم کریں۔
ڈاکٹر ثمر مبارک نے بتایا کہ پاکستان میں جو تھرمل یونٹ ہیں ان کے بوائلر گیس سے بھی چلائے جاسکتے ہیں۔ لیکن ان کے بقول اسی اور نوے کی دہائیوں میں جب گیس کے ذریعے بجلی پیدا کی گئی تو اس میں بنیادی غلطی یہ کی گئی کہ اس کی سکت پچیس فیصد تک قابل استعمال کی گئی۔ جس کی وجہ سے ایک تو گیس جلدی ختم ہوگئی اور دوسرے پلانٹ ناکارہ ہوگئے۔ اگر گیس کی سکت ساٹھ فیصد تک استعمال کی جاتی تو بجلی بھی زیادہ بنتی اور پلانٹ بھی جلدی ختم نہ ہوتے۔
ایک سوال کے جواب میں انہوں نے بتایا کہ جو ایک بلاک انہیں ملا ہے اس میں سے تیس برسوں کے لیے دس ہزار میگا واٹ سالانہ بجلی پیدا کی جاسکتی ہے۔ ان کے بقول آئندہ دس برسوں میں پاکستان کی بجلی کی مانگ تیس ہزار میگا واٹ تک ہوسکتی ہے اور تیس ہزار میگا واٹ صرف تھر کول سے دس برسوں میں حاصل کرنا کوئی مشکل کام نہیں ہے۔
ایک اور سوال کے جواب میں انہوں نے بتایا کہ وہ تو زیرِ زمین کوئلے سے گیس بنانے کا کام مارچ تک مکمل کرلیں گے لیکن بڑے پیمانے پر اس کی پیداوار کے لیے بہت پیسہ اور وقت درکار ہوگا۔ ان کے بقول ان کی فیلڈ سے بجلی پیدا کرنے کے لیے جو ٹربائن اور دیگر مشینری چاہیے اس کے لیے انہیں رقم آئندہ برس کے وسط میں ملے گی اور جب ٹینڈر ہوں گے اور مشینری نصب ہوگی اور بجلی کی پیداوار شروع ہوگی اس میں دو سے تین بر س لگ سکتے ہیں۔
ان سے جب پوچھا کہ تھر کول کی اپنے فیلڈ میں وہ مقامی افراد کو روزگار دینے کے بجائے پنجاب اور دیگر صوبوں سے ملازمین کیوں بھرتی کرتے ہیں تو انہوں نے جواب گول کردیا۔
تھر کا کوئلہ ، پانچ سو برس تک بجلی
اعجاز مہر
بی بی سی اردو ڈاٹ کام ، اسلام آباد
پاکستان کے سابق جوہری سائنسدان اور منصوبہ بندی کمیشن کے رکن ڈاکٹر ثمر مبارک مند نے بتایا ہے کہ سندھ کے ریگستان میں جو کوئلہ ہے اس سے آئندہ پانچ سو برسوں تک سالانہ پچاس ہزار میگا واٹ بجلی یا دس کروڑ بیرل ڈیزل یا لاکھوں ٹن کھاد بنائی جا سکتی ہے۔
بی بی سی اردو کے ساتھ انٹرویو میں انہوں نے بتایا کہ صحرائے تھر جو کہ دنیا کا نواں بڑا صحرا ہے اس میں نو ہزار چھ سو مربع کلومیٹر میں ایک سو پچہتر بلین ٹن کوئلے کا ذخیرہ موجود ہے۔ انہوں نے بتایا کہ تھر میں ٹیوب ویل کھودتے وقت بائیس برس قبل اچانک پتہ چلا کہ وہاں کوئلے کے ذخائر موجود ہیں اور بعد میں سٹڈیز ہوئیں تو پتہ چلا کہ یہاں دنیا کی دوسری یا تیسری بڑی کوئلے کی کان موجود ہے۔
پاکستان کا جوہری دھماکہ کرنے والی سائنسدانوں کی ٹیم کے سربراہ اور میزائل پروگرام سے منسلک رہنے والے ڈاکٹر ثمر مبارک مند نے بتایا کہ تھر کول کے فیلڈ کو آٹھ بلاکس میں تقسیم کیا گیا ہے اور تاحال سندھ حکومت نے آسٹریلیا، متحدہ عرب امارات اور برطانیہ سمیت پانچ بلاکس الاٹ کیے ہیں جس میں ایک بلاک ان کے نام سے منسوب ہے۔
انہوں نے بتایا کہ ایک بلاک ایگرو کیمیکل کو ملا ہے جو تھر کول سے پیدا ہونے والی گیس سے کھاد بنانا چاہتے ہیں۔ ان کے بقول صحرا میں کان کنی کرنا قدرے مشکل اور مہنگا کام ہوتا ہے اس لیے وہ زیرِ زمین کوئلے کو جلا کر بجلی پیدا کرنے کے منصوبہ پر کام کر رہے ہیں اور آئندہ برس مارچ تک وہ اپنا پائلٹ پروگرام مکمل کرلیں گے۔
ڈاکٹر ثمر مبارک نے مزید بتایا کہ تھر کے اندر ریت کے نیچے پانی ہے جو سطح سمندر کے برابر ہے اور اس کے نیچے ایک مضبوط مٹی کی چھت ہے جس کے نیچے کوئلہ ہے۔ انہوں نے بتایا کہ جنوبی افریقہ میں جس طرح زیر زمین کوئلے سے بجلی پیدا ہو رہی ہے وہ بھی اس طرح کی ٹیکنالوجی کا استعمال کرنا چاہتے ہیں۔ جس سے ان کے بقول راکھ اور دیگر کیمیائی مواد زیرِ زمین رہے گا اور ماحولیاتی مسائل بھی نہیں ہوں گے۔
ان کے بقول وہ ڈرلنگ کے ذریعے آٹھ سے دس انچ چوڑا ایک پائپ نیچے ڈالیں گے اور اس سے ایک سو میٹر کے فاصلے پر اس طرح کا دوسرا پائپ ڈالیں گے۔ ایک پائپ سے آگ لگانے کے بعد ایک مخصوص دباؤ کے ساتھ ہوا چھوڑیں گے تو دوسرے پائپ سے گیس نکلے گی جو ٹربائن چلائے گی اور اس سے سٹیم یعنی بھاپ سے ایک اور ٹربائن چلے گی اور بجلی پیدا ہوگی۔ ان کے بقول کوئلے سے بننے والی گیس سوئی گیس کی طرح ہوگی جو جلانے کے کام بھی آسکتی ہے۔ آپ چاہیں تو اس سے بجلی بنائیں، ڈیزل بنائیں، کھاد بنائیں یا پھر گھریلوں یا صنعتی صارفین کو فراہم کریں۔
ڈاکٹر ثمر مبارک نے بتایا کہ پاکستان میں جو تھرمل یونٹ ہیں ان کے بوائلر گیس سے بھی چلائے جاسکتے ہیں۔ لیکن ان کے بقول اسی اور نوے کی دہائیوں میں جب گیس کے ذریعے بجلی پیدا کی گئی تو اس میں بنیادی غلطی یہ کی گئی کہ اس کی سکت پچیس فیصد تک قابل استعمال کی گئی۔ جس کی وجہ سے ایک تو گیس جلدی ختم ہوگئی اور دوسرے پلانٹ ناکارہ ہوگئے۔ اگر گیس کی سکت ساٹھ فیصد تک استعمال کی جاتی تو بجلی بھی زیادہ بنتی اور پلانٹ بھی جلدی ختم نہ ہوتے۔
ایک سوال کے جواب میں انہوں نے بتایا کہ جو ایک بلاک انہیں ملا ہے اس میں سے تیس برسوں کے لیے دس ہزار میگا واٹ سالانہ بجلی پیدا کی جاسکتی ہے۔ ان کے بقول آئندہ دس برسوں میں پاکستان کی بجلی کی مانگ تیس ہزار میگا واٹ تک ہوسکتی ہے اور تیس ہزار میگا واٹ صرف تھر کول سے دس برسوں میں حاصل کرنا کوئی مشکل کام نہیں ہے۔
ایک اور سوال کے جواب میں انہوں نے بتایا کہ وہ تو زیرِ زمین کوئلے سے گیس بنانے کا کام مارچ تک مکمل کرلیں گے لیکن بڑے پیمانے پر اس کی پیداوار کے لیے بہت پیسہ اور وقت درکار ہوگا۔ ان کے بقول ان کی فیلڈ سے بجلی پیدا کرنے کے لیے جو ٹربائن اور دیگر مشینری چاہیے اس کے لیے انہیں رقم آئندہ برس کے وسط میں ملے گی اور جب ٹینڈر ہوں گے اور مشینری نصب ہوگی اور بجلی کی پیداوار شروع ہوگی اس میں دو سے تین بر س لگ سکتے ہیں۔
ان سے جب پوچھا کہ تھر کول کی اپنے فیلڈ میں وہ مقامی افراد کو روزگار دینے کے بجائے پنجاب اور دیگر صوبوں سے ملازمین کیوں بھرتی کرتے ہیں تو انہوں نے جواب گول کردیا۔
monitor12345
New Member
Excellent and Accurate Observation.
Anti-pakistan elements want u people to lose hope , then only pakistanis will demand separate and independent provinces. So that they can break pakistan into 4 independent countries like punjabistan, Balochistan, Sindh etc.
Wadaich
Prime Minister (20k+ posts)
Dear Brother!
Look at at your forefathers who cemented first brick in the foundation of Pakistan after 1857. They just nursed hopes that their coming generation will reap the benefits. Here you are living in Madena-i-Sani--PAKISTAN. So when this zulf gets "ser", many descendants of "drkjke" will be thriving:mash:, praying for you. Never loose hope.:)
harisuae
Senator (1k+ posts)
Thar coal only solution of energy crises: Samar Mand Mubarak
Renowned scientist, Dr. Samar Mubarak Mand has said that the Thar coal project is the only solution of the energy crises, adding that the production of gas from the Thar-Coal field would be started within three to four months.
In an interview with state-run television, Dr. Samar Mubarak Mand said that over 10,000 megawatt electricity could be produced for 30 years. He was of the view that they could easily transform coal into gas and then into electricity which would be far cheaper then the rental power. The coal could also be used for producing plastic, diesel and urea as well, he added.
The scientist was of the view that Thar coal field is extended up to six thousands nine hundred kilometer while an area of 64 KL could produce 10, 000 MW or 700 million barrel diesel. Samar Mand was quite aspirant that the country would be in the way of progress through using its minerals.
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-n...-solution-of-energy-crises-Samar-Mand-Mubarak
Renowned scientist, Dr. Samar Mubarak Mand has said that the Thar coal project is the only solution of the energy crises, adding that the production of gas from the Thar-Coal field would be started within three to four months.
In an interview with state-run television, Dr. Samar Mubarak Mand said that over 10,000 megawatt electricity could be produced for 30 years. He was of the view that they could easily transform coal into gas and then into electricity which would be far cheaper then the rental power. The coal could also be used for producing plastic, diesel and urea as well, he added.
The scientist was of the view that Thar coal field is extended up to six thousands nine hundred kilometer while an area of 64 KL could produce 10, 000 MW or 700 million barrel diesel. Samar Mand was quite aspirant that the country would be in the way of progress through using its minerals.
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-n...-solution-of-energy-crises-Samar-Mand-Mubarak
awan4ever
Chief Minister (5k+ posts)
Long before the Thar Coal reserves were a major national debate, I had a chance meeting with a senior bureaucrat (Federal Joint Secretary) who was involved in the energy sector. I was working with an oil company at the time. I asked him why the government wasnt keen on exploiting these new found reserves. He told me that he had personally looked at the project and sent a senior geologist to examine the findings. This guy was given some limited resources as it was being done as a personal initiative of the said bureaucrat, yet the geologist drilled some test wells and his findings were the same as Mr. Kamran Riaz.
He informed the Joint Secretary that the moisture content was too high after a certain depth which meant that cheap mining was out of the question and also the recoverable reserves would be a lot less than the estimated reserves that are being flouted in reports. Secretary sahib also mentioned the chinese firm mentined in Kamran Riaz's report and said that the Chinese had declined from setting up a mining facility as it wasnt feasible and that they were only interested in setting up a coal fired power plant if Pakistan mined the coal itself or through any other mining company. (This report wasnt publicaly available at the time).
Anyway everyone has a right to their opinion.
I think we should work on getting hydel and nuclear energy instead of going for a primitive and soon to be out-dated energy source i.e. coal fired power plants.
The environmental drawbacks are immense. It also doesnt make sense that a country which already has nuclear capability should be looking at less efficient power sources. We should be looking at the examples of China, Taiwan and S. Korea who have mastered the building of nuclear reactors themselves. It is time we worked on getting a transfer of technology deal going with one of these countries so that we can set up our own nuclear power plants down the road.
He informed the Joint Secretary that the moisture content was too high after a certain depth which meant that cheap mining was out of the question and also the recoverable reserves would be a lot less than the estimated reserves that are being flouted in reports. Secretary sahib also mentioned the chinese firm mentined in Kamran Riaz's report and said that the Chinese had declined from setting up a mining facility as it wasnt feasible and that they were only interested in setting up a coal fired power plant if Pakistan mined the coal itself or through any other mining company. (This report wasnt publicaly available at the time).
Anyway everyone has a right to their opinion.
I think we should work on getting hydel and nuclear energy instead of going for a primitive and soon to be out-dated energy source i.e. coal fired power plants.
The environmental drawbacks are immense. It also doesnt make sense that a country which already has nuclear capability should be looking at less efficient power sources. We should be looking at the examples of China, Taiwan and S. Korea who have mastered the building of nuclear reactors themselves. It is time we worked on getting a transfer of technology deal going with one of these countries so that we can set up our own nuclear power plants down the road.
If there is news that Samar Mubarak Mand has been able to buy all PPP MPAs in Sindh Assembly, that to me will start the project not the same old crap being repeated for 60 odd years that PAkistan's great reserves, we will be able to solve all our problems and blah blah won't make a freakin' dfference apart from wasting spaces in newspaper.
As long as PPP is in power, this project won't go ahead. These thugs ruling us have their own mechanism, their real earnings comes from kickbacks and commission they get from interested multinational companies or groups. There is 1000-3000 megawatt offered by PAk's neighbours like Tajikistan and Iran on 7-10 pn/unit[whereas cost in Pakistan is now 16 pc/unit at average]. But there is neither electricity nor gas, nor any hue and cry.
The only way this project can start is regime change, which is unlikely otherwise the above mentioned solution that is Dr. Mubarak needs to buy every Sindhi MPA from PPP.
As long as PPP is in power, this project won't go ahead. These thugs ruling us have their own mechanism, their real earnings comes from kickbacks and commission they get from interested multinational companies or groups. There is 1000-3000 megawatt offered by PAk's neighbours like Tajikistan and Iran on 7-10 pn/unit[whereas cost in Pakistan is now 16 pc/unit at average]. But there is neither electricity nor gas, nor any hue and cry.
The only way this project can start is regime change, which is unlikely otherwise the above mentioned solution that is Dr. Mubarak needs to buy every Sindhi MPA from PPP.
