ISLAMABAD, June 21: The government on Wednesday granted three exploration licences and petroleum concession agreements to Mari Gas Company Ltd (MGCL) in Sindh and Balochistan.

The licences were awarded to the company over Sujawal, Harnai and Hanna blocks falling in districts of Thatta and Badin in Sindh, Pishin, Ziarat, Loralai and Sibi in Balochistan, covering an area of 58,000 sq-km, states an official announcement. Minimum financial commitment in these blocks will be over $13.625 million.

During the phase-I, expanding over initial three years, the company will undertake geology and geographic studies, geological fieldwork of 300 km, acquisition and processing of 300 line km 2D seismic, data purchase and reprocessing of 200 km vintage seismic data, acquisition, processing and interpretation of 200 sq-km 3D seismic and drilling of two firm exploration wells.

MGCL is one of the leading local petroleum companies operating in Pakistan, with an equity interest of 40 per cent held by Fauji Foundation and 20 per cent each by the government of Pakistan, OGDCL and general public.

The company owns and operates country's second largest gas fields, Mari Gas Field, located in Gotki district of Sindh. The company is also operator of Ziarat, Karak, Sukardu and Noor blocks and has working interest in Zamardan, Kohlu, Kalchas, Kot Sarang, Dadhar, Hala, Nawabshah, Kohat and Bannu west blocks.

MGCL is also operator of three mining leases -- Mari, Mar Additional and Zarghun South.