01 January 2005	Saturday	19 Ziqa'ad 1425

ISLAMABAD, Dec 31: Oil and Gas Development Company Ltd (OGDCL), as an operator, has discovered gas in its exploratory well Jhal Magsi South no.1 in Kotra exploration licence (Kachhi, Khuzdar districts) , which is located at a distance of 76-km south-west of Dera Murad Jamali and 400-km south of Quetta.

According to a press release issued here on Friday Kotra exploration licence is a joint venture of OGDCL, POL and Government Holding (Private) Limited (GHPL). Pre-discovery working interest ownership (WIO) of OGDCL, POL and GHPL in the block is 66.5, 28.5 and 5 per cent respectively, while post discovery WIO of the partners is 66, 24 and 20 per cent respectively.

Jhal Magsi South well no. 1 was delineated in Kotra block. Drilled and tested with OGDC's in-house expertise. The wall was drilled down to the depth of 4,290 meters targeting to expose sui main limestone formation.

Based on the drilling data and electric logs, open-hole test was performed. During the initial testing, well has flowed about 11 mmcfd of gas through half-inch choke at wellhead flowing pressure of 1,930 Psi.

Kotra exploration licence lies towards the northern margin of Kirther Fore deep in Central Indus Basin. Most of the area of Kotra block is covered by quaternary alluvium. Kotra anti-clinal trend, riding over a blind thrust that terminates approximately 400 metres below surface is gradually deepening towards north.

The thick sequence of shelf edge of sui main limestone is considered as main objective. Sui main limestone is producing gas at Sui, Uch, and Qadirpur gas fields in the north, Mazarani gas field south of Kotra block.