KARACHI: The tight gas potential is being explored in the lower Indus Basin, an official of the Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) announced on Monday.

The source said that PPL, one of the key players in the exploration and production sector, is playing its due role in the development of unconventional reservoirs in the country.

In order to explore gas in the lower Indus basin, PPL drilled a well in Naushehro Feroze exploration lease.

Tight gas potential was confirmed through successful drilling and testing of the first well at Naushahro Feroze X1 (NF X-1), it was further pointed out.

Due to the tight nature of the reservoir, this discovery initially did not appear to be commercially viable. After a detailed post-well analysis and numerous sub-seismic geological and reservoir modellings, PPL re-drilled this well horizontally to the total length of 4,940 metres and completed with a state-of-the-art multi-stage frack technology.

The well was completed with 10-stage openhole packers and fracking sleeves.

This well remained historical in the drilling industry of Pakistan, by becoming one of the deepest and longest horizontal wells in tight carbonate reservoirs. Later, all 10 stages were stimulated (frac/acid) and successfully tested at 4.5mmscfd with 1,850psi flowing wellhead pressure with a ninefold increase in production.

“In future, PPL plans to work on two additional tight gas discoveries to establish commercial viability,” says the Managing Director and CEO PPL Syed Wamiq Bokhari.

‘The company’s efforts in tapping unconventional reservoirs has the potential to add substantial reserves to Pakistan’s hydrocarbons base’, he added.

NF X-1 is in Naushahro Feroz Block, Sindh, with PPL as operator holding 90 per cent of its working interest and the remaining 10pc held by Asia Resources Oil Limited.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2018