Petroleum Minister visits Gambat South to mark PPL discoveries

Petroleum Minister visits Gambat South to mark PPL discoveries

Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi visited Gambat South Block in District Sanghar Sindh onAugust 26 to mark recent discoveries made by Pakistan Petroleum Limited the operator of the block. The Minister along with MD and CEOPPL Asim Murtaza Khan and others ignited the gas flare at Shahdad X-1well site to mark the discoveries
Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi visited Gambat South Block in District Sanghar Sindh onAugust 26 to mark recent discoveries made by Pakistan Petroleum Limited the operator of the block. The Minister along with MD

Petroleum Minister visits Gambat South to mark PPL discoveries

DISTRICT SANGHAR, August 26, 2013: Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi visited Gambat South Block in District Sanghar, Sindh on August 26 to mark recent discoveries made by Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), the operator of the block.
The visit reiterates the government’s stake in promoting oil and gas exploration to plug the energy deficit faced by the country on the one hand and the importance of the discovery by PPL on the other.

PPL, that has 65 percent working interest in the block along with its joint venture partners Government Holdings (Private) Limited and Asia Resources Oil Limited, with 25 percent and 10 percent interests, respectively, made two back-to-back gas-condensate discoveries at exploration wells Wafiq X-1 and Shahdad X-1 within a span of approximately one month.

Welcoming the minister and other guests, which comprised representatives of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources (MP&NR), provincial government, local administration and media besides PPL management and staff, MD and CEO Asim Murtaza Khan highlighted the importance of the discoveries, particularly in light of the prevailing energy crisis, adding that PPL is striving to fast track production from the two wells through Extended Well Testing. “As a key public sector E&P company, we are cognizant of our responsibility to optimize production and reserves replacement of hydrocarbons to decrease reliance on oil imports and secure a safe energy future for the country.”

Khan also spoke about the various steps and protracted time lines required in carrying out technical evaluation of potential oil and gas reservoirs, identifying optimal location and drilling of exploration wells and developing infrastructural back-up before starting production.

Similarly, he underscored the company’s commitment to spurring development and well-being of stakeholder communities residing in its operational areas and gave a brief outline of initiatives launched in Sindh in the field of healthcare, education and civic infrastructure development. 

In his address on the occasion, the minister congratulated PPL and its joint venture partners on the discoveries and urged them to continue efforts to optimize production of hydrocarbons so that much-needed oil and gas can be added to national supply at the earliest. He assured PPL of MP&NR’s full support in fulfilling its ambitious exploration plan and growth targets. Taking note of the Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives by the company in Sindh, the minister advised the company to continue plugging development gaps affecting local communities.

The minister also visited the rig at Shadad X-1 well site and ignited the gas flare to mark the discovery.

Wafiq X-1, the first exploration well at Gambat South Block, was spud in on February 17 and reached the final depth of 3550 metres on May 21. Based on wireline logs evaluation, multiple zones were tested within Massive Sands of Lower Goru Formation and cumulative flow potential estimated at about 58 MMscfd gas and 400 bbl/d condensate.

This was followed shortly by Shahdad X-1, which was spud in on March 30 and reached final depth of 3665 metres on June 19. According to wireline logs, potential hydrocarbon bearing zones were identified and initial testing flowed about 30 MMscfd of gas and over 337 bbl/d condensate.
Final flow potential of both wells will be ascertained on completion and cumulative flow added to the national grid following first-gas.