What is Causing Delay in Gas Exploration in Pakistan?
Dawn has published a report which criticizes the exploration effort for gas in Pakistan.
The government has sought a report from the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) over ‘inordinate delay’ in the exploration of Pakistan’s largest gas field in Balochistan that has the capacity to make all imported fuel options redundant and save billions of dollars in foreign exchange.
Official documents made available to Dawn suggest that the Kohlu exploration block, spread over an area of 2500 square kilometres, possess an estimated reserves of about 22 trillion cubic feet, which are a little less than Pakistan’s total current proven gas reserves of about 29 trillion cubic feet (TCF).
‘This is such a big project for the country’s energy security that the government cannot afford to keep it in cold storage indefinitely,’ a senior government official said.
‘We have also taken up the issue with the prime minister who has assured full support and promised to take it up with the provincial government and security agencies,’ he said.
Of the 22 TCF, according to preliminary estimates, more than 15.4 TCF reserves are described as ‘recoverable.’ At $5 per million British Thermal Unit (MMBTU), the total value of 15.3 TCF translates into about $80 billion or around Rs6800 billion. Based on the current gas demand in the market, these reserves are believed to be sufficient to meet the energy requirements for several decades.
Petroleum ministry sources said that the OGDCL had been asked to furnish a detailed report on the Kohlu block by Dec 25, along with latest position of exploration and development being made to overcome security concerns following the recent Balochistan package announced by the prime minister.
