Pakistan Resumes Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration After Two Decades

Islamabad/Karachi: Offshore oil and gas exploration in Pakistan is set to resume after almost 20 years. A seismic survey vessel belonging to the Turkish Petroleum Company is due to reach Karachi between 17 and 20 November. The arrival is being described as an important step towards restarting the country’s offshore exploration programme.

Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik chaired a high-level meeting to review arrangements for the survey vessel’s arrival. The meeting discussed in detail the vessel’s arrival in Karachi, security, sea routes and other practical matters. The federal minister also indicated that he would personally receive the vessel in Karachi.

Ali Pervaiz Malik said the development was an important milestone in the long-standing friendship between Pakistan and Türkiye and in bilateral cooperation following the Makkah agreement. He said Pakistan would provide Türkiye with full support in the offshore oil and gas exploration project. According to him, the project will strengthen Pakistan’s energy security and also give fresh scope to bilateral energy cooperation with Türkiye. He expressed determination to bring all available resources and institutional cooperation into play to make the offshore exploration project a success.

At the meeting, the manager of the Turkish Petroleum Company’s project thanked Pakistani officials for their cooperation. All relevant institutions were directed to ensure close coordination and effective arrangements for the vessel’s arrival and the start of maritime operations.

The survey is expected to provide scientific information about potential oil and gas reserves beneath the seabed. However, the existence of commercially viable reserves will be determined through the survey and subsequent research stages.