Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has made a significant discovery of gas and condensate at its exploration well, Pateji X-1, located in Block 2467-16 (Shah Bandar) within the Sujawal District of Sindh. This discovery underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to boosting Pakistan’s indigenous hydrocarbon reserves, contributing to the country’s energy security.
The preliminary results suggest that the well has the potential to deliver a stable output of hydrocarbons, and further testing and analysis are underway to ascertain the full production potential.
The exploration, conducted with a 63% working interest by PPL in collaboration with its joint venture partners Mari Petroleum Company Limited (32%), Sindh Energy Holding Company Limited (2.5%), and Government Holdings (Private) Limited (2.5%), revealed promising results. The well was drilled to a depth of 2,475 meters in October 2024, targeting hydrocarbon reserves in the Upper Sands of the Lower Goru Formation. The initial testing reported a production rate of 11.7 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) of gas and 198 barrels per day of condensate, with a wellhead flowing pressure of 2,578 psig on a 32/64″ choke
The Pateji X-1 discovery is a notable achievement in the Shah Bandar Block, which is operated by PPL with joint venture partners, including a consortium of international and local energy companies. The success at Pateji X-1 builds upon PPL’s extensive exploration and development strategy, which aims to meet the growing demand for energy in Pakistan by tapping into unexplored and underexplored regions.
This discovery has been welcomed by stakeholders, as it is expected to have a positive impact on local communities, stimulate economic activity, and potentially lead to more investments in exploration and production. Such initiatives are seen as crucial for reducing the country’s reliance on imported energy and ensuring a more self-sustained and robust energy sector.