KARACHI: The Pakistan Petroleum Limited started drilling its first test well at Sui Dera Bugti (Baluchistan) on Wednesday [Oct 10]. The site was selected on the basis of Geological work and aerial reconnaissance of about 5,000 sq miles of Mari-Bugti territory, which led to the discovery of the Sui anti-cline.

Preliminary work started early this year when the Government of Pakistan granted an Oil Prospecting Licence to Pakistan Petroleum Limited. To expedite work, the Company opened a railway from Jacobabad to receive about 6,500 tons [of] stores required for the project. Simultaneously, arrangements for water supply were taken in hand and a 40-mile four-inch pipeline was laid with a pump station at the Indus River and a second intermediate booster station to pump water to the test camp in the desert.

A camp for about 150 people was built. The houses are nissen huts of special design with mud lagging to alleviate the great heat in summer and the cold in winter. A power station has been built to supply electric power for the well and light for the camp and for a hospital with air-conditioned ward for heat-stroke patients.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2026