ISLAMABAD: The Mari Petroleum Company Limited announced on Wednesday to have made another significant crude oil discovery in the Mianwali district of the Punjab.

In a statement, the company said the Halini Deep-1 well was spud-in on Feb 18, 2015, and was successfully drilled down to the depth of 5,900 metres into Wargal formation. Hydrocarbons potential of deeper reservoir targets Jurassic, Triassic and Permain ages had also been tested.

Additionally, the already discovered reservoirs at Halini-1, namely Lockhart/Hangu/Lumshiwal, were also tested at Halini Deep-1 well and flowed 1,125 barrels of crude oil per day from Hangu/Lumshiwal reservoirs having API of 30 degree at 60 degree Fahrenheit and 1.09 million cubic standard feet per day (MMSCFD) gas at 32/64 inch choke resulting in additional production from Halini oilfield.

The Halini Deep-1 discovery has further augmented Mari’s exploration well success rate. This indigenous success will play an important role in achieving the company’s planned growth and expansion targets and will help in reducing the current energy shortage in the country, the announcement said.

The Karak Block’s Halini Deep-1 well is located in Mianwali district of Punjab. The first crude oil discovery was made at this well in 2011 while the second crude oil condensate and gas discovery at Kalabagh 1-A well was made in 2015.

The Karak joint venture is operated by Mari Petroleum with 60 per cent working interest, with MOL of Hungary having the 40 per cent share. The Halini Deep-1 discovery is Karak joint venture’s third consecutive success in the block.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2016