As a New Year gift for the nation, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC), the operator of the Nashpa Exploration Licence with a 65 percent working interest along with joint venture partners, on Thursday announced a major oil and gas discovery over the Datta Formation at its exploratory well Baragzai X-01 (Slant) located in Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The joint venture partners include Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) with 30 percent working interest and Government Holding (Private) Limited (GHPL) with five percent carried interest.
The discovery is the result of OGDC’s focused exploration campaign in the Nashpa Block. The Baragzai X-01 (Slant) well was spudded on December 30, 2024, and drilled to a total depth of 5,170 metres into the Kingriali Formation.
Based on the interpretation of open-hole wireline log data, a Cased Hole Drill Stem Test (DST-02) was conducted in the Datta Formation. The well is currently producing 4,100 Barrels per Day (BPD) of oil and 10.5 Million Standard Cubic Feet per Day (MMSCFD) of gas. The production was achieved through a 32/64-inch choke at a wellhead flowing pressure of 3,880 pounds per square inch (PSI), confirming the commercial potential of the reservoir.
This discovery will make a positive contribution towards reducing the country’s energy demand and supply gap by adding indigenous oil and gas resources. It will also strengthen OGDC’s hydrocarbon reserves base and support Pakistan’s energy security objectives.
OGDC reaffirmed its commitment to sustained exploration activities aimed at unlocking the country’s hydrocarbon potential and contributing to economic stability through reliable domestic energy supplies, as the nation steps into the New Year with renewed optimism.
