ISLAMABAD – In a bid to achieve self-sufficiency in the energy sector, thePetroleum Division has devised a strategy to reinvigorate oil and gasexploration activities under which around 41 new blocks are being workedfor awarding licences to interested E&P companies.“Currently, these blocks are in different phases of the award and clearanceprocess. Open bidding has already been held for 10 blocks in November last,while 10 more will be awarded by March this year,” an official source privyto the petroleum sector developments told APP.He said the Division had got security clearance for 38 exploration blocks.Out of which, 10 were in evaluation process for provisional award after thebidding opened on November 26, 2018. “The bidding process over remainingblocks will be initiated shortly,” they said, adding that clearance ofthree blocks was still awaited.Giving details, the official said 10 blocks namely 3068-3 (Block-28 North)spanning on 637.05 square-kilometer in Loralai, Sibi and Kohlu, 2762-1(Desert) on 2231.3 sq.kms in Kharan and Chaghi, 2667-9 (Khuzdar South) on2493.36 sq.kms in Dadu and Khuzdar, 3269-1 (Wali West) on 1609.63 sq.kms inSouth and North Waziristan, 3073-3 (Punjab) on 2410.81 sq.kms in Pakpattan,Bahawalnagar, Sahiwal and Okara, 2972-4 (Cholistan) on 2478.46 sq.kms inBahwalpur and Bahwalnagar, 3072-4 (Shakar Ganj) on 2479.37 sq.kms inPakpattan, Bahwalnagar, Vehari and Sahiwal, 2768-13 (Sorah) on 1151.7sq.kms in Sukkur and Khairpur, 2567-12 (Tuang) on 150.67 sq.kms inJamshoro, 3069-10 (Musakhel) on 2198.8 sq.kms in Musakhel and Zhob, wereunder process for the provisional award.While, 28 blocks, including 2770-3 (Islamgarh) on 2229.51sq.kms inBahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan, 3069-9 (Suleiman) on 2175.26 sq.kms inMusakhel, Zhob and Loralai, 3068-6 (Qilla Saifullah) on 2421.96 sq.kms inLoralai, Zhob and Qilla Saifullah, 3168-1 (Multani) on 1120.39 sq.kms inZhob, 3167-1 (Murgha Faqir Zai) on 5667.92 sq.kms in Zhob and QillaSaifullah, 3066-1 (Huramzai) on 2262.27 sq.kms in Qilla Abdullah andPishin, 2763-1 (Ladgasht) on 2452.88 sq.kms in Washuk, 3067-1 (Lugai) on2344.01 sq. kms in Pishin and Qilla Saifullah, 3067-2 (Changai) on 545.18sq.kms in Pishin, 2869-14 (Kalchas South) on 2425.11 sq.kms in Dera Bugtiand Rajanpur, 3068-8 (South Pishin) on 2498.24 sq.kms in Zhob and QillaSaifullah, 3167-3 (Tanishpa) on 2447.79 sq.kms in Zhob and Qilla Saifullah,3168-2 (Shaigalu) on 2483.49 sq.kms in Zhob and Qilla Saifullah, 3372-25(Abbottabad) on 2298.67 sq.kms in Mansehra and Abbottabad, 3273-5 (Jhelum)on 2474.59 sq.kms in Jhelum, Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin, 3372-25 (NorthDhurnal) on 85.14 sq.kms in Attock, 3372-25 (Hazro) on 653.74 sq.kms inHaripur, Swabi and Attock, 3072-7 (Okara) on 2492.48 sq.kms in Sahiwal,Okara and Toba Tek Singh, 3171-2 (Nurpur) on 1941.62 sq.kms in Khushab,Mianwali and Bhakar, 3272-16 (Lillah) on 2361.12 sq.kms in Chakwal andJhelum, 2972-5 (Vehari) on 2487.28 sq.kms in Bahawalpur, Vehari andLodhran, 2972-2 (Sutlej) on 2312.56 sq.kms in Bahawalngar, Bahawalpur,Vehari and Khanewal, 2771-2 (Khangarh) on 2498.48 sq.kms in Bahawalpur,2871-2 (Yazman) on 2488.61 sq.kms in Bahwalpur, 2872-1 (Noor South) on2458.95 sq.kms in Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar, 2871-3 (Rukanpur) on 2472.25sq.kmsin Bahawalpur, 3271-7 (Makhand) on 1562.92 sq.kms in Attock, Mianwali andChakwal, 2667-12 (Baran Block) on 2475.25 sq.kms in Dadu, Jamshoro, Khuzdarand Lasbela, had been cleared by the quarters concerned.
Whereas, three blocks named 3069-8 (Kingri) on 2189.28 sq.kms in DG Khanand Musakhel, 3067-7 (Sharan) on 2497.89 sq.kms in Qilla Saifullah andZhob, 3371-18 (Hassan Abdal Block) on 1811 sq.kms in Attock, Haripur,Rawalpindi and Islamabad, have not been cleared yet.Quoting a recent study about fast depletion of existing hydrocarbonreservoirs in the country, he feared that the deposits would furtherdeplete by 60 percent by the year 2027.The official underlined the need for accelerating exploration activities inpotential areas on war-footing, saying “The country’s energy demand isincreasing and local production is decreasing. So, our reliance on importedpetroleum products is escalating with each passing day,” the sources said.
