ISLAMABAD: Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has announced a significant oil and gas discovery at its Baragzai X-01 (Slant) exploratory well in District Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, further strengthening Pakistan’s indigenous hydrocarbon resource base.
The development was disclosed by the state-owned exploration and production company in a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday.
According to the notice, OGDCL — the operator of the Nashpa Exploration Licence with a 65 per cent working interest — made the discovery in partnership with Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), which holds a 30pc working interest, and Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL), with a 5pc carried interest.
The discovery was made in the Samana Suk and Shinawari formations following a Cased Hole Drill Stem Test (CHDST-03). During the test, the well flowed at a rate of 3,100 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) and 8.15 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of gas through a 32/64-inch choke, with a wellhead flowing pressure of 3,010 psig.
OGDCL said the Baragzai X-01 (Slant) well was spudded on December 30, 2024, under the Nashpa Exploration Licence to evaluate the hydrocarbon potential of multiple formations, including Lockhart, Hangu, Lumshiwal, Samana Suk, Shinawari, Datta and Kingriali.
The well was successfully drilled to a total depth of 5,170 metres, reaching the Kingriali Formation. Based on wireline log evaluations, two earlier cased-hole drill stem tests conducted in the Kingriali and Datta formations had also resulted in oil and gas discoveries.
OGDCL said the latest find would help narrow the country’s energy supply-demand gap by adding indigenous resources, while also enhancing the hydrocarbon reserves of OGDCL, its joint venture partners and Pakistan.
Earlier this week, Pakistan Petroleum Limited separately announced a gas discovery at its exploratory well Bilitang-1, also located in District Kohat, highlighting the growing exploration potential of the region.
