February 14, 2006	Tuesday	Muharram 15, 1427

ISLAMABAD, Feb 13: The government on Monday granted three petroleum exploration licences to Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), an official announcement said.

These licences were granted in Block Nos 2769-14 (Tegani) in Zone-III, 2769-15 (Thal) in Zone-III, and 2567 (Thano Beg) in Zone-II, covering an area of 270.60 sq-km, 1622.67 sq-km and 2404.73 sq-km, respectively.

Tegani block falls in district Shikarpur, Jacobabad and Sukkar; Thal block in Khairpur, Sukkur and Ghotki of Sindh; and Thano Beg block in Lasbella, Dadu and Karachi districts of Balochistan and Sindh.

A minimum firm investment of over $24.1 million will be made in these three blocks. During phase-1 of the initial terms of these licences, OGDCL will carry out geology and geophysics (G&G) studies, geological field work, 2-D and 3-D seismic acquisition, its processing and interpretation and drilling of four exploration wells.

OGDCL is operator of 32 exploration licences and 39 leases and has interest in 30 non-operated leases. The company is producing 31,918 barrels of oil, 932 million cubic feet of gas, 322 tons of LPG and 62 tons of sulphur per day.

Licences were granted at a ceremony held in the presence of Petroleum Minister Amanullah Khan Jadoon. The licences and petroleum concession agreements were signed by Ahmed Waqar, Secretary Petroleum and Natural Resources (on behalf of the president of Pakistan), Mohammad Nadeem Malik, Director General, Petroleum Concessions, and Mohammad Riazuddin, Managing Director, OGDCL.