PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has announced a significant oil and gas discovery in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kohat district, marking what officials describe as one of the most substantial finds in the country’s history.
According to details availalbe with MM News, the discovery was made at the Baragzai X-1 well in the Nashpa Block, where commercial production has now commenced. Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik inaugurated production at the site, terming the development a key milestone for the country’s energy security.
Officials said the new reserves are expected to help Pakistan save approximately $329 million annually in foreign exchange by reducing reliance on imported fuels.
OGDCL stated that the well is currently producing around 15,000 barrels of oil per day along with approximately 45 million cubic feet of gas daily. The company aims to further increase output to 25,000 barrels of oil and 60 million cubic feet of gas per day in the future.
The company described the discovery as one of the largest in Pakistan’s history, adding that it represents a major exploration success in the Kohat region. Officials noted that increased domestic production would strengthen national reserves and ease pressure on energy imports.
OGDCL also highlighted the use of advanced technology in laying an approximately 8-kilometre pipeline in record time to bring the well into production. The Baragzai X-1 well is expected to become one of the highest-producing wells in the company’s portfolio, contributing nearly 10 per cent to the country’s total crude oil output.
The development comes as Pakistan continues efforts to enhance indigenous energy resources and reduce its dependence on costly fuel imports amid ongoing economic challenges.
