OGDCL, PPL Announce Oil and Gas Discovery at Baragzai X-01 Well

PAKISTAN

Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) have announced a significant oil and gas discovery at the Baragzai X-01 (Slant) exploratory well located in District Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In a notification submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, OGDCL informed that the discovery was made over the Lockhart Limestone formation within the Nashpa Exploration License.

OGDCL operates the Nashpa block with a 65 percent working interest, while PPL holds 30 percent, and Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL) has a 5 percent carried interest.

According to the announcement, a cased-hole Drill Stem Test (DST-05) conducted in the Lockhart Limestone formation showed encouraging results. The well flowed at a rate of 3,765 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) and 11.2 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of gas through a 32/64-inch choke at a wellhead flowing pressure of 4,080 psig.

The Baragzai X-01 (Slant) well was spudded on December 30, 2024 as an exploratory well to evaluate the hydrocarbon potential of multiple geological formations, including Lockhart, Hangu, Lumshiwal, Samana Suk, Shinawari, Datta, and Kingriali.

The well was successfully drilled to a total depth of 5,170 meters, reaching the Kingriali Formation. Based on wireline log evaluation, four earlier cased-hole drill stem tests were carried out in the Kingriali, Datta, Samana Suk plus Shinawari, and Hangu plus Lumshiwal formations. These tests had also resulted in oil and gas discoveries, indicating significant hydrocarbon potential in the block.

Energy sector analysts believe that the discovery highlights the promising exploration prospects in the Nashpa block and underscores the continued efforts of local exploration companies to expand the country’s hydrocarbon reserves.

Officials noted that the latest discovery is expected to contribute toward reducing Pakistan’s energy supply-demand gap by adding indigenous resources to the national energy mix. The development will also strengthen the reserves base of OGDCL and its joint venture partners.

Pakistan has been intensifying exploration activities in recent years to reduce reliance on imported fuels and enhance domestic energy production. Discoveries such as Baragzai X-01 are therefore viewed as an important step toward improving energy security and supporting long-term economic stability.

Further appraisal and evaluation activities are expected to determine the full commercial potential of the discovery in the Nashpa Exploration License area. – ER News Desk

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