ISLAMABAD: Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has announced Pakistan’s largest-ever oil and gas discovery from a single well at the Baragzai X-01 (Slant) exploratory site in the Nashpa Block, located in Kohat.
The Baragzai X-01 well has emerged as the highest-producing well both in OGDCL’s portfolio and in the country’s history, currently contributing nearly 10% of Pakistan’s total crude oil output. Following successful testing and completion, the well has been brought into commercial production.
Recent output includes 5,300 barrels of oil per day (BPD), 17 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of gas, and 15 metric tons per day (MTD) of LPG. Cumulative production has now reached approximately 15,000 BPD of oil and 45 MMSCFD of gas, with projections to increase to 25,000 BPD and 60 MMSCFD in the near term.
The discovery spans five different geological formations, marking a major technical achievement. Despite challenging terrain, OGDCL deployed advanced technologies to ensure efficient and safe operations. The company also completed an 8-kilometre pipeline in record time, along with key upgrades for gas processing, crude storage, and integration with existing Mela and Nashpa facilities.
The project is expected to deliver significant economic benefits, with estimated daily revenues of Rs156 million, monthly earnings of Rs4.7 billion, and annual revenues reaching Rs57 billion. Additionally, it is projected to save around $329 million annually in foreign exchange by reducing reliance on imported fuels.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik formally inaugurated commercial production at a ceremony held at OGDCL headquarters in Islamabad. Senior officials, including Federal Secretary Petroleum Division Hamid Yaqoob Sheikh and OGDCL MD/CEO Ahmed Hayat Lak, along with representatives from E&P and service companies, attended the event.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister termed the discovery a “monumental achievement” and a major boost to Pakistan’s energy security. He emphasised the importance of strengthening indigenous energy resources and encouraged greater collaboration within the exploration and production sector.
OGDCL’s leadership also praised the technical teams for achieving this milestone under challenging conditions and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to accelerating exploration activities and further enhancing production capacity.
Story by Wasim Iqbal
