ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to launch its most ambitious offshore drillinginitiative through the construction of a purpose-built artificial island inthe Arabian Sea, marking a strategic shift towards reversing the country’sdeclining domestic crude production.
The federal government has granted approval for the island, to be locatedapproximately 30 kilometres off the Sindh coast, under the leadership ofstate-owned Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL). The facility will serve as apermanent base for drilling rigs, equipment storage, and logisticaloperations.
Designed to remain above high-tide levels, the structure will enableyear-round drilling activities that were previously disrupted by harsh seaconditions. PPL expects construction to be completed by early 2026, withthe first exploratory well to spud immediately thereafter.
The project draws inspiration from successful artificial-island modelsemployed in Abu Dhabi and aims to support the drilling of up to 25 wellsfrom a single fixed location. This approach eliminates exposure to waveloads that forced abandonment of earlier offshore wells before reachingtarget depths.
Industry analysts say the fixed platform will significantly streamlineheavy-equipment logistics and reduce weather-related delays. Estimatessuggest operational contingency costs could fall by as much as one-thirdcompared with traditional mobile rig deployments.
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The initiative forms part of Islamabad’s broader effort to bolster energysecurity amid falling output from mature onshore fields and dwindlingreserves. Officials believe the island could unlock substantial hydrocarbonpotential in the under-explored Indus offshore basin.
Source:https://gulfnews.com/business/energy/pakistan-to-build-artificial-island-for-offshore-drilling-1.1739456789
Source:https://mettisglobal.news/pakistan-plans-artificial-island-to-boost-offshore-exploration/
