ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has made a significant oil and gas discovery in the Nashpa Block, situated in the Kohat district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, boosting hopes for reducing the country’s reliance on imported energy and strengthening domestic reserves.
The state-run Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC) announced on Wednesday that its exploratory well, Baragzai X-01 (Slant), in Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is producing 2,280 barrels of oil per day (BPD) and 5.6 million cubic feet of gas per day (MMSCFD) at a wellhead flowing pressure of 2,400 psi.
This marks the first hydrocarbon discovery from the Triassic-age Kingriali Formation in the Nashpa Block, OGDC stated in a press release. Drilling at the well was completed at a depth of 5,170 metres, encountering a 90-metre thick interval of the formation.
OGDC carried out a successful drill stem test (DST) after observing encouraging hydrocarbon shows and interpreting open hole wireline logs.
OGDC operates the Nashpa Exploration License with a 65% working interest, alongside Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) with 30% and Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL) with a 5% carried interest.
Ahmed Hayat Lak, MD/CEO of OGDC, described the discovery as a milestone. “This underscores our commitment to exploring and developing Pakistan’s hydrocarbon potential. It is a testament to OGDC’s technical expertise and its role in securing sustainable energy for the nation,” he said.
Pakistan’s domestic reserves
According to a report by Arif Habib Limited, Pakistan recorded its first substantial increase in domestic oil reserves since 2020. New discoveries and higher production led to a 23% annual rise in reserves, reaching 238 million barrels as of December 2024.
Key contributing fields include Pasakhi/Pasakhi North East, Rajian, Kunar, Sono, Thora, Jhandial, and Lashari Centre.
Despite the increase, Pakistan continues to import crude oil, averaging about 137,000 BPD last year, mainly from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Pakistan is exploring options to import US crude oil for the first time to reduce its trade deficit and avoid high tariffs on exports to the United States.
