Pakistan has recently announced important oil and natural gas discoveries that could significantly strengthen the country’s energy resources and reduce dependence on imported fuel.
Pakistan’s state-owned energy giant, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), has announced a major oil and gas discovery in the Nashpa Block of Kohat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, marking a significant boost to the country’s indigenous energy resources.
Oil and Gas Discovery in KP’s Kohat District
In an official statement issued on Thursday, OGDCL confirmed that commercial production has been successfully achieved from the Baragzai X-1 exploratory well, with an impressive output of 4,100 barrels of oil per day (bpd) and 10.5 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcfd). The discovery is expected to contribute meaningfully to Pakistan’s energy supply at a time when the country is struggling with high import bills and persistent energy shortages.
According to the company, the well was drilled to a total depth of 5,170 metres, where a 187-metre hydrocarbon-bearing zone was identified in the Datta Formation. A cased-hole drill stem test confirmed the well’s commercial viability, producing at a 32/64-inch choke with a wellhead flowing pressure of 3,880 psi, reflecting strong reservoir performance.
OGDCL operates the Nashpa exploration licence with a 65 percent working interest, while Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) holds 30 percent and Government Holdings Private Limited (GHPL) owns the remaining 5 percent.
The company stated that this discovery would strengthen Pakistan’s national energy reserves and further expand OGDCL’s resource base. Officials emphasized that increasing local oil and gas production is crucial for improving the energy supply-demand balance and reducing dependence on expensive imported fuels.
Baragzai X-1 Well Production Details
This is not the first success in the area. An earlier discovery at the Baragzai X-01 (Slant) well, announced in December 2025, had already demonstrated the Nashpa Block’s potential. That well was producing 2,280 bpd of oil and 5.6 mmcfd of gas, representing the first hydrocarbon discovery from the Kingriali Formation in the region and paving the way for deeper exploration.
OGDCL is also accelerating its shale gas exploration programme, planning five to six wells in 2026-27, up from a single test well. If successful, officials believe the initiative could eventually expand to hundreds of wells nationwide, unlocking a new chapter in Pakistan’s energy sector
Some other oil and gas discoveries
PPL, POL Announce Major Gas Discovery in TAL Block
Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL) have announced a major natural gas discovery at the Bilitang-1 exploratory well in the TAL Block of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, marking another important step toward strengthening Pakistan’s indigenous energy resources.
The discovery was made by the TAL Joint Venture, which is operated by MOL Pakistan Oil & Gas Company B.V. The joint venture includes leading national and international energy companies such as
- OGDCL
- PPL
- POL
- Government Holdings Private Limited (GHPL)
PPL is currently holding a 30 percent working interest, while POL holds 25 percent in the discovery as per authentic sources.
The Bilitang-1 well was spudded on August 10, 2025, and drilled to a total depth of 4,011 metres. Initial testing confirmed the presence of commercial-quality natural gas from the Hangu and Lumshiwal formations, two well-known hydrocarbon-bearing zones in the region. The well recorded a gas flow rate of 1.58 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) at a 40/64-inch choke, with a wellhead flowing pressure of 164 psi.
To further enhance production potential, an acid stimulation job has already been carried out on the well. Meanwhile, POL confirmed that a Drill Stem Test (DST) is currently underway to isolate additional geological zones and assess the full commercial viability of the discovery. The results of these tests will play a key role in determining future development plans.
PPL POL Gas Discovery Strengthens TAL Block Potential
Industry experts kept on saying that the success of Bilitang-1 has significantly de-risked further exploration in the TAL Block, increasing confidence in additional drilling prospects. Both PPL and POL have indicated that further exploration activities, particularly targeting the Lockhart Formation, are already being planned.
Beyond its immediate production potential, the discovery is strategically vital for Pakistan. It is helping in supporting the broader goal of the country to
- Reduce reliance on imported energy
- Lower foreign exchange pressure
- Improve long-term energy security via the development of local oil and gas resources
Indigenous Gas Discoveries Support Pakistan’s Energy Security
PPL and POL have assured investors and stakeholders that they will continue to share updates as exploration and appraisal work progresses, underlining their dedication to expand domestic energy base of Pakistan.
The Kohat oil and gas discovery at the Baragzai X-01 exploratory well has emerged as one of the most significant hydrocarbon discoveries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in recent years. Located in the Nashpa Block, the well successfully produced oil and natural gas from the Kingriali Formation, confirming the presence of commercially viable oil and gas reserves at deeper geological levels.
With an initial production of 2,280 barrels of oil per day and 5.6 million cubic feet of gas per day, the discovery proved the commercial potential of the Nashpa Block beyond previously tested zones. More importantly, this oil and gas discovery in Kohat has played an important role in de-risking deeper exploration across the block. It has paved the way for additional exploratory drilling and future energy production in northern Pakistan.
Mari Oil and Gas Discovery: Ghazij CF-B1 in Mari Field (Sindh)
The Mari oil and gas discovery at Ghazij CF-B1 reinforced the importance of mature oil and gas fields in Sindh. Located within the Mari Development and Production Lease, the well targeted oil-prone reservoirs in the Ghazij Formation, resulting in fresh oil and gas production from an already established energy hub.
The well produced 305 barrels of oil per day along with 3 million cubic feet of gas per day, demonstrating that advanced seismic surveys and improved exploration techniques can assist in unlocking new hydrocarbon reserves in mature fields.
This oil and gas discovery in Sindh has extended the commercial life of the Mari Field and strengthened Pakistan’s indigenous energy resources. This will ultimately help in minimizing reliance on imported fuel.
Khairpur Oil and Gas Discovery: Faakir-1 in Bitrisim Block (Sindh)
The Khairpur oil and gas discovery at the Faakir-1 exploratory well added critical volumes to Pakistan’s southern natural gas supply network. Drilled in the Bitrisim Exploration License, the well encountered a productive hydrocarbon zone in the Lower Goru Formation, one of Pakistan’s most reliable gas-producing formations.
Testing confirmed 6.4 million cubic feet of gas per day along with 55 barrels of condensate per day, marking Faakir-1 as a commercially viable gas discovery in Sindh. This oil and gas discovery in Khairpur has massively improved the value of the Bitrisim Block, extended its exploration life, and improved confidence in deeper gas exploration across the region.
Waziristan Oil and Gas Discovery: Spinwam-1 in Waziristan Block (KP)
The Waziristan oil and gas discovery at Spinwam-1 is considered to be one of the largest and most impactful gas discoveries in Pakistan in recent years. It is located in the Waziristan Block, the well delivered multiple hydrocarbon discoveries, culminating in a high-pressure reservoir within the Lockhart Formation.
The final discovery has generated an exceptional 70.3 million cubic feet of gas per day and 310 barrels of condensate per day. It is firmly establishing North Waziristan as a new oil and gas exploration frontier. This oil and gas discovery in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has made massive alterations in the region’s energy outlook. Furthermore, it is opening large-scale opportunities for
- Future natural gas production
- Investment
- Long-term energy security