November 15, 2002	Friday	Ramazan 9, 1423

ISLAMABAD, Nov 14: The government on Thursday granted petroleum exploration licence to Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) in Attock and Chakwal districts to make a risk investment of $12.5 million.

Under the licence, PPL would cover an area of 664.9 square kilometres over block No 3372-12 (Kot Sarang) which falls in prospectively Zone 1.

PPL would carry out 2D seismic survey, re-entry in Kot Sarang well and drilling of exploration well to the depth of 4,000 metres subject to availability of economically viable prospect during the first three years of the initial terms of the licence.

PPL has been exploring oil and gas since independence and is the country’s premier exploration and production company that had made the first giant gas discovery at Sui, Balochistan, in 1952.

PPL is also the operator of Old Block-22 Manzai, Jhamat, Karsal blocks. In Old Block-22, PPL has made four consecutive discoveries. PPL also holds non-operating working interests in six other exploration areas.

Besides, it is joint venture partner in Miano, Qadirpur and Sawan gas fields. Apart from these, PPL operates Sui and Kandhkot gas fields and Adhi gas condensate field.

It is currently drilling additional wells to enhance production from its Adhi field and also developing its Mazarani gas field, near Larkana for production. PPL has current production of around 830 million cubic feet per day gas, 3,850 barrels of oil per day and 65 tons liquefied petroleum gas per day.