KARACHI: Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has made a significant breakthrough at its LAL X-1 exploratory well in Kashmore, Sindh, marking the company’s entry into Pakistan’s unconventional gas sector.
Although the initial gas flow of 0.138 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) is modest, industry experts describe the discovery as a major technical achievement. For the first time, hydrocarbons have been successfully produced from the Lower Alabaster Formation, a geological layer previously considered difficult to exploit.
The well, drilled to a depth of 1,408 metres after spudding on June 30, 2025, tapped tight limestone and shale formations rather than conventional reservoirs. It delivered a steady gas flow with a wellhead pressure of 33 psig on a 64/64-inch choke, confirming the technical recoverability of the resource.
PPL said commercial viability will be determined after detailed post-well analysis and further exploration. If proven feasible, the discovery could open a new avenue for domestic gas production, helping Pakistan reduce reliance on costly LNG imports.
