Pakistan Petroleum Limited announces gas and condensate discovery in Sindh's Sujawal

Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has announced a pioneering discovery of gas and condensate from its operated exploratory well, Dolphin X-1, located in the Sirani Block of Sindh's Sujawal district. This development is particularly significant as it represents the first-ever hydrocarbon discovery from the Jurassic-age Chiltan Formation within the Lower Indus Basin.

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This is the first-ever hydrocarbon discovery from Jurassic-age Chiltan Formation in Lower Indus Basin, opening up a new hydrocarbon play” in hitherto “untapped, challenging frontiers.

The discovery is poised to open up a new hydrocarbon play in an area previously considered untapped and challenging. PPL highlighted that this success enhances the prospects for shallow offshore exploration in Pakistan, transforming a long-inaccessible frontier area into a proven petroleum play. The company utilized specialized transition equipment to overcome the marshy terrain and acquire crucial seismic data, a feat that had previously deterred exploration efforts.

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This area was long considered inaccessible for exploration due to its challenging geographical location and marshy terrain.

The Dolphin X-1 well was drilled to a depth of 3,850 meters, testing the hydrocarbon potential of the Chiltan Formation. Initial testing revealed the flow of good-quality gas with a heating value of 1000 British thermal units per standard cubic foot (Btu/scf) at a rate of 0.942 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD). The PPL operates the Sirani Block with a 75 percent Working Interest (WI), in partnership with Government Holdings Private Limited (GHPL), which holds the remaining 25 percent WI.

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Hydrocarbon bearing zone was identified based on the drilling results and acquired wireline logs data.

PPL acknowledged that preliminary data suggests the reservoir has a "tight" nature, requiring further evaluation. The company attributed the success to the "far-reaching vision" of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the "able leadership" of Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, which facilitated exploration in challenging frontiers. They also extended appreciation to the Pakistan Navy for its "invaluable" support throughout the project.

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This area was long considered inaccessible for exploration due to its challenging geographical location and marshy terrain.