ISLAMABAD: The government has approved the drilling of Pakistan’sfirst-ever offshore exploration well in the Indus G Block, with spud-inscheduled for March 2026, Petroleum Division officials confirmed on Monday.
The block, located 230 kilometres south of Karachi in water depths of up to2,600 metres, is being operated by a consortium led by Oil and GasDevelopment Company Limited in partnership with international firms.
Officials said the well, named Kekra-1, will target multiple hydrocarbonreservoirs and has the potential to yield significant oil and gas reservesif successful.
Successful discovery could substantially reduce Pakistan’s annual oilimport bill, currently exceeding $17 billion, and provide a major boost todomestic energy production, they added.
The project marks the country’s maiden venture into ultra-deepwaterexploration and has been made possible through advanced seismic dataacquired in recent years.
Drilling operations will be conducted using a state-of-the-artseventh-generation drillship, with an estimated cost of around $100 millionfor the initial well.
Read Top Stories
Energy experts have termed the initiative a game-changer for Pakistan’senergy security and a critical step toward self-reliance in hydrocarbonresources.
The Petroleum Division has directed all stakeholders to ensure timelymobilisation of the rig and adherence to international safety andenvironmental standards.
Source: www.dgpc.org.pk”>https://www.dgpc.org.pk
