Oil and Gas Development Company Limited on Tuesday announced finding significant reserves of hydrocarbons at well Zin X-I in district Dera Bugti Balochistan. A statement issued by the company said OGDCL operator of 95 per cent working interest in Zin exploration license, together with its joint venture partner Government Holdings Private Limited having five per cent working interest has discovered a hydrocarbon bearing horizon in its exploratory well Zin X-I.
It said the well was drilled down to the depth of 2300 meter targeting to test the hydrocarbon potential of pab sandstone and sui main limestone formations. Significant reserves of hydrocarbons have been found at well Zin X-1. The first targeted zone pab sandstone of cretaceous age has tested 5.48 mmcfd as through 32/64” choke at well head flowing pressure 1050 Psi. This discovery will add to the hydrocarbon reserves base of the company and its joint venture partner, bringing significant savings to the country.
The national flag carrier, OGDCL started exploratory drilling in the block located in Dera Bugti district and first well X-1 was spud in May this year. The company had obtained exploration license for Zin block in 1996. But due to the law and order issues, it could not be drilled for last 14 years. Zin block is considered a very prospective block as it is surrounded by major natural gas producing fields of Pirkoh, Loti, Sui and Uch. The work on the site was started in 2010, when the government provided the required security to the company. If the drilling proves successful the gas from the field will start flowing within next one year, the source said.
The country’s first major discovery of Sui gas field located in Dera Bugti was made in 1952. Its neighbouring district of Kohlu is attributed by experts as the most prospective area for finding major conventional hydrocarbon reserves. OGDCL has applied for security clearance for four licenses in the district including Kohlu, Jandran, Jandran West and Kalchas. OGDCL is the largest upstream company in the country having a portfolio of 77 fields, out of which 45 fields are 100 per cent owned and operated, and 32 are non-operated fields. As of December 2010, it holds 48 per cent of the country’s recoverable oil reserves, and 37 per cent of the country’s recoverable gas reserves. In terms of production, currently OGDCL delivers 56 per cent of Pakistan’s oil output, and 22 per cent of its gas production.
