Experts of UK will help Pakistan in developing the oil and gas sector, with special focus on the extraction of natural gas from shales.
Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation with the Head of Licensing, Exploration and Development at the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change Simon Toole.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner in the UK Wajid Shams ul Hasan was also present on this occasion.
Dr Hussian said Pakistan possessed high quality gas resources which could be explored if seismic surveys were conducted. Toole offered to assist Pakistan in this respect, saying that UK’s companies were experienced in this sector.
Dr Hussain also dwelt upon evolving policies which could secure gas supply to the consumers and could promote competition and believed that The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) could gain from the experience of UK Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM).
The minister briefed about the potential of shale gas exploration in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Toole said that UK’s experience with shale gas was fairly new. However, UK’s parliamentarians for exploration of gas supported this idea.
The minister was briefed about the sources of gas supply in the UK, imports from Norway, off shore gas supply and domestic onshore sources including shale gas exploration. Pricing of domestic and industrial supply was also discussed in the meeting.