Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration Resumes After 20-Year Pause in Pakistan

Islamabad: Offshore oil and gas exploration activities in Pakistan are set to resume after a gap of 20 years.

A seismic survey vessel of Turkish Petroleum will arrive in Karachi between 17 and 20 November.

A high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik was held in Islamabad to review arrangements for the arrival of the Turkish vessel. The meeting reviewed in detail the vessel’s arrival in Karachi, security, and maritime and operational arrangements.

Ali Pervaiz Malik said he would personally welcome the Turkish vessel when it reaches Karachi. He said this was an important milestone in the friendship between Pakistan and Türkiye and in the wake of the Makkah agreement. According to him, Pakistan will provide Türkiye with full assistance in the project.

He said the offshore oil and gas exploration project would play a key role in strengthening Pakistan’s energy security and promoting bilateral energy cooperation with Türkiye. He said both countries would together achieve a historic success that would be remembered by future generations.

During the meeting, the project manager of Turkish Petroleum thanked Pakistani officials for their full cooperation.

The minister directed all relevant institutions to ensure close coordination for the arrival of the Turkish seismic survey vessel and for offshore oil and gas exploration operations.

The arrival of the Turkish vessel in Pakistan is being described as an important step towards restoring offshore oil and gas exploration activities in the country for the first time in 20 years.