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Natural gas

PPL Discovers Significant Oil and Gas Reserves in Potwar Region

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has announced a major breakthrough in oil and gas exploration, revealing significant hydrocarbon reserves at the Dhok Sultan-03 well in District Attock, Punjab. This discovery marks a crucial milestone in the company's efforts to tap into the untapped potential of the mature Potwar-Kohat sub-basin, long considered a challenging exploration zone. PPL's latest achievement follows extensive geological, geophysical, and reservoir engineering studies, which were instrumental in overcoming drilling challenges and optimizing well design. The company's perseverance has paid off, resulting in a substantial oil and gas find that is expected to contribute meaningfully to the national energy mix and reduce dependence on imported fuel.

Key Takeaways:

  • PPL has reported a significant oil and gas discovery at its Dhok Sultan-03 well in District Attock, Punjab, with encouraging flows of 1,469 barrels per day (bpd) of oil and 2.56 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) of gas.
  • The well was drilled after extensive geological, geophysical, and reservoir engineering studies, and optimisation of well design helped overcome drilling challenges, saving both time and cost.
  • Drilling began on January 18, 2025, and reached a depth of 5,815 meters, targeting the hydrocarbon potential of the Patala and Lockhart formations.
  • PPL, operator of the Dhok Sultan Block with a 75 percent working interest, partnered with Government Holdings Private Limited (GHPL), which holds the remaining 25 percent.
  • The discovery underscores the untapped hydrocarbon potential of the mature Potwar-Kohat sub-basin, which has been considered a challenging exploration zone.
  • Advanced technologies, detailed geophysical analysis, and in-house technical capabilities enabled the breakthrough, resulting in a substantial oil and gas find.
  • Company officials believe that the new reserves could contribute meaningfully to the national energy mix and reduce dependence on imported fuel.

Statistics:

  • The well achieved encouraging flows of 1,469 bpd of oil and 2.56 MMscfd of gas at a wellhead flowing pressure (WHFP) of 1,147 psig on a 32/64" choke.
  • At a 48/64" choke, production reached 2,113 bpd of oil and 4.13 MMscfd of gas at 813 psig WHFP.
  • Drilling began on January 18, 2025, and reached a depth of 5,815 meters.
  • The company believes that advanced technologies and in-house technical capabilities enabled the breakthrough, which is expected to contribute meaningfully to the national energy mix.

Sources:

  • Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL)
  • Government Holdings Private Limited (GHPL)

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