ISLAMABAD, Dec 24: The Mari Gas Company has claimed a gas discovery in Balochistan with successful drilling and testing of Ziarat exploratory well No.1 located at Khost which is 118km east of Quetta.

The Ziarat Well has been tested, which has shown gas discovery in its Dungan Limestone with a minimum of 6.867 MMSCF/day gas at wellhead flowing pressure (WHFP) of 664 psi at 32/64 choke, says a press release issued here on Saturday.

The flow rates from the well are expected to increase significantly with acid treatment at the time of its completion.

The discovered gas has heating value of +946 btu 85.49 per cent Methane, 1.9 per cent Ethane, 6.68 per cent Carbon Dioxide, 4,45 per cent Nitrogen and over 6000 ppm Hydrogen Sulphide contents.

The gas having high Hydrogen Sulphide is very poisonous and toxic and needs to be processed/ sweetened prior to use/utilization.

The MGCL intends to undertake drilling operations in the block to further appraise and delineate the structure, to establish realistic estimates of reserves and to increase the production to commercial level.

It is intended to develop the discovery on a fast-track basis by establishing early production facilities to bring gas on production.

Ziarat exploration block is a joint venture between the Mari Gas Company with 60 per cent working interest as operator whereas MND Exploration and Production Limited (MND E&P) of the Czech Republic, holds 40 per cent working interest in the block.

The joint venture between MGCL and MND has proven to be a successful and pro-active partnership in terms of technical co-operation and mutual understanding, which resulted in successful and efficient completion of the project in the shape of gas discovery.

This discovery will have a significant impact on adding indigenous resources.