ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) on Tuesday announced a gas discovery at its exploration well in District Matiari of Sindh.

In a statement after regulatory approval from the federal government’s directorate general of petroleum concessions, the PPL said it discovered gas at its exploration well Hatim X-1 of Gambat South Block.

The announcement said Hatim X-1 was spud on Oct 8, 2015 and reached the final depth of 3,800 metres on Nov 26. Based on wire line logs, potential hydrocarbon bearing zones were identified in Lower Goru Formation.

Initial testing in Massive Sand of Lower Goru Formation flowed 56 mmscfd (million standard cubic feet per day) of gas at 48/64 inches choke size, thus confirming the presence of commercial quantity of natural gas at Hatim X-1.

The well is being flowed at different choke sizes to measure gas flow rates, and the actual flow potential of the well will be determined after completion of the test. The PPL is the operator of Gambat South Block with 65 per cent working interest along with its joint venture partners Government Holdings Private Limited and Asia Resources Oil Limited with 25pc and 10pc working interest.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2015