Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) has declared force majeure, a legal designation that absolves the company of contractual liability for supply failures, citing ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
The utility will suspend deliveries of regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) to the Punjab province for three weeks, with the disruption lasting until August 3.
The move comes amid hot and humid weather conditions that typically drive higher energy demand, exacerbating the impact of the supply cut.
The declaration highlights the direct transmission of geopolitical risk into regional energy infrastructure.
While global markets have seen fluctuations in oil prices as diplomatic talks between the US and Iran have intermittently eased tensions, the physical reality of shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt supply chains for dependent nations.
SNGPL’s reliance on imported LNG makes it particularly vulnerable to these maritime disruptions, forcing the utility to prioritize contractual protections over continuous supply.