ISLAMABAD, Aug 20: The Hungarian-based MOL Pakistan, prospecting for oil and gas in Gurguri area of the Karak district, on Monday confirmed that a foreign sub-contractor had pulled out of petroleum exploration due to security reasons but had been replaced to avoid stoppage of the operation.
A press release quoting MOL Managing Director Janos Feher – the Tal Block operator in the NWFP (Karak) -- said the security issue in the area was well known to the government and that the company had always worked with both the federal and provincial authorities.
“What we have communicated to the government is that the security and land acquisition related issues can delay the development and the targeted oil and gas production from the field that are crucial for the energy security and economy of the country, the province and the local community,” Mr Feher added. He said that the MOL was working in the area for exploring petroleum and had no intention to stop its operation in the near future.
The MOL has been working in Pakistan through its subsidiary MOL Pakistan Oil and Gas Company, B.V. since April 1999.
The petroleum concession and exploration licence was granted to MOL (TAL Block No. 3370-3) in NWFP with the joint venture partners, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), Government Holdings (Pvt) Limited (GHPL) and Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL) for exploration of oil and gas.
Shah Abdul Aziz, a local MNA, told Dawn that the companies had actually received threatening letters from some unknown persons.
