Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has announced a significant hydrocarbon discovery in the Shah Bandar Block in Sindh.
This marks the third consecutive discovery in the block under PPL's operatorship, enhancing its reputation in oil and gas exploration.
The discovery is expected to contribute significantly to Pakistan's energy security.
PPL operates the Shah Bandar Block with a 63% working interest, alongside joint venture partners Mari Petroleum Company (32%), Sindh Energy Holding Company (2.5%) and Government Holdings (Private) (2.5%).
The discovery was made at the Pateji X-1 exploration well, drilled to a depth of 2,475m. The well was spud on 11 October 2024, targeting the upper sands of the Lower Goru Formation.
Testing revealed hydrocarbon-bearing zones, with a flow rate of 11.7 million standard cubic feet per day of gas and 198 barrels per day of condensate under a wellhead flowing pressure of 2,578psig (pounds per square inch gauge) at a 32/64in choke.
PPL's technical expertise in drilling and testing was pivotal in this discovery and underscores the company’s strong operational capabilities.
The company remains committed to driving national energy self-sufficiency through responsible exploration and production.
The addition of the newly discovered hydrocarbon reserves will bolster the country’s energy infrastructure, alleviate the ongoing energy crisis, reduce dependence on costly energy imports and help preserve valuable foreign exchange reserves.
In a related development, MOL Pakistan, a subsidiary of MOL Group, reported three gas discoveries in the TAL Block, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in August.
The discoveries were made at the Razgir-1 exploratory well, which was spud on 9 January 2024 and drilled to a depth of 3,950m.
Similarly, the Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDCL) announced the discovery of a substantial gas-condensate reserve at the Kharo-1 well in February.
OGDCL, which holds a 95% stake in the Khewari Block with GHPL as a joint venture partner, successfully completed drilling operations to a depth of 3,762m.
The OGDCL-operated Kharo-1 well is located within the Khewari exploration licence area in Khairpur district, Sindh Province.
