ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC), Pakistan’s largest oil and gas explorer, is planning overseas hydrocarbon exploration in collaboration with Russian and Turkish energy firms, sources told The Express Tribune.
OGDC aims to form joint ventures with Russian energy giant Gazprom and Turkish Petroleum for both onshore and offshore exploration projects in Libya and Vietnam, seeking to diversify energy supplies and reduce Pakistan’s energy import bill. Talks with the Russian and Turkish companies are reported to be at an advanced stage.
Domestically, OGDC is already part of a consortium in the Eastern Offshore Indus Block-C, where Turkish Petroleum Overseas Company has become the operator. The joint venture includes PPL (35%), Turkish Petroleum (25%), Mari Energies (20%), and OGDC (20%), bringing international offshore operating experience and modern technology to Pakistan’s exploration landscape. The block offers drill-ready prospects expected to attract substantial foreign investment.
The company plans to replicate this joint venture model abroad to strengthen its technical capabilities, operational efficiency, and project delivery, while exploring new energy reserves to support long-term energy security.
OGDC’s strategy also aligns with Pakistan’s broader efforts to engage friendly countries, including China, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, in the local oil and gas sector. The move follows a high-level visit by Turkish Petroleum in 2023, during which offshore geological and geophysical data were reviewed, paving the way for participation in local and international exploration projects.
The company’s new management is also focused on optimising production from existing fields using modern technology, reinforcing Pakistan’s commitment to leveraging both indigenous and international expertise in the energy sector.
Story by Zafar Bhutta
