ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is embarking on one of the most ambitious engineering projects in its energy history — the creation of a man-made offshore island designed to serve as a permanent launchpad for oil and gas exploration in the Arabian Sea.
The project, led by state-owned Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), signals a renewed effort to unlock largely untapped offshore reserves and lay the foundations for a modern, year-round exploration base.
The initiative, involves reclaiming land from the sea to build an artificial platform approximately 30 kilometres off the Sindh coastline, near the district of Sujawal. PPL’s General Manager for Exploration and Core Business Development, Arshad Palekar, outlined the project during an energy conference in Islamabad, calling it a first-of-its-kind undertaking for Pakistan’s offshore sector.
Planned to stand six feet above sea level, the engineered island is designed to keep operations running uninterrupted during high tides and shifting weather patterns. Once completed, the platform will host drilling rigs, storage areas, equipment staging grounds and the full logistical chain needed for sustained offshore activity.
A Model Inspired by Regional Innovation
Palekar said the project builds on the successful use of artificial drilling islands in Abu Dhabi, where engineered platforms have enabled efficient multi-well programmes in shallow coastal waters. Adopting a similar model, he noted, gives Pakistan the chance to operate with greater stability, safer weather margins and reduced vessel-mobilisation needs — all key challenges that have historically slowed offshore progress.
Construction is expected to finish in February, with exploration operations launching immediately afterward. The company aims to drill around 25 wells from the platform, marking a new scale of activity for Pakistan’s offshore ambitions.
Momentum Builds After Renewed Interest in Pakistan’s Resources
Pakistan’s offshore exploration push has accelerated in recent months, particularly after US President Donald Trump referred to the country’s “massive oil reserves” in a social media post in July. The comment coincided with Islamabad awarding new exploration licences to three domestic companies: PPL, Mari Energies Ltd and Prime International Oil & Gas Company.
The government sees offshore exploration as central to diversifying supply lines and strengthening energy resilience. While Pakistan has drilled only a limited number of offshore wells in past decades, the new island project is positioned to support systematic, multi-phase exploration programmes in areas long considered underdeveloped.
Engineering a Stable Base at Sea
At roughly 30 kilometres offshore, the chosen site gives PPL access to a promising exploration corridor while keeping operations within manageable logistical reach of Sindh’s ports and coastal infrastructure. Engineers expect the island’s elevation and reinforced structure to ensure year-round access for equipment, monitoring teams and vessel traffic.
The approach represents a shift from occasional offshore missions toward a permanent offshore presence, with a platform designed to operate continuously, support multiple wells, and improve predictability for drilling schedules.
A Parallel Boost to Pakistan’s Marine Fuel Capabilities
In a separate but complementary development, Pakistan has also taken a significant step in strengthening its maritime fuel supply. Global trading firm Vitol and Cnergyico — the country’s largest oil refiner — recently delivered Pakistan’s biggest single shipment of very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), used for international ship refuelling.
The shipment was produced after Cnergyico began importing US crude earlier this year, allowing Pakistan to manufacture marine fuel that meets International Maritime Organisation (IMO) low-sulphur regulations. The move makes it possible for large vessels to refuel locally and undertake longer east-west routes without additional stopovers, expanding Karachi and Gwadar’s potential as regional bunkering hubs.
A New Horizon for Pakistan’s Offshore Future
For Pakistan, the artificial island marks more than an engineering experiment — it represents a strategic shift toward sustained offshore activity, improved operational capacity and technological adoption inspired by global best practices. By combining infrastructure development with new licensing rounds and modern marine fuel production, the country is positioning itself to tap unexplored reserves and strengthen its energy landscape for the future.
The coming months will see the island take shape in the Arabian Sea, paving the way for one of Pakistan’s most expansive offshore drilling efforts yet.
