ISLAMABAD: The government announced on Friday that a Turkish seismic vessel will arrive in Karachi between Nov 17 and 20 to begin offshore oil and gas exploration.
The Petroleum Division announced the development after a meeting between Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, the Turkish delegation, and relevant agencies to review preparations for receiving the seismic vessel operated by the Turkish Petroleum Offshore Company (TPOC).
“The vessel is expected to arrive in Karachi between Nov 17-20, marking the revival of Pakistan’s offshore exploration efforts after nearly two decades,” the statement said, describing the occasion as a special milestone in Pakistan-Türkiye relations, particularly following the signing of the Makkah Agreement.
The government could not auction offshore blocks for exploration since 2006-07 for various reasons, and previous exploration activities could not yield successful results in the offshore basin.
Turkish seismic vessel due in Karachi this month to find oil and gas
The Offshore Bid Round 2025 was launched in January last year after an 18-year gap to grant petroleum exploration licences in 40 Indus and Makran offshore blocks near the jurisdictions of Sindh and Balochistan.
TPOC, a subsidiary of Turkish Petroleum Corporation, had entered into three blocks in Pakistan through partnership agreements with local SOEs — state-run OGDCL, Mari Energies and Pakistan Petroleum Ltd (PPL).
TPOC holds a 25 per cent interest and operatorship in the Eastern Offshore Indus-C block in the Arabian Sea. PPL has a 35pc stake, while OGDCL and Mari Energies each have a 20pc shareholding.
The block is estimated to contain 1.5-2 trillion cubic feet of gas, according to PPL, which conducted 2D and 3D surveys.
TPOC will also hold stakes in two onshore blocks — a 25pc interest in Sukhpur-II and a 10pc interest in the Ziarat North block.
The minister said the vessel’s arrival marked a new chapter in the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
“This is a special moment for Pakistan-Türkiye friendship. I will try to personally receive the vessel upon its arrival in Karachi,” he announced.
Mr Malik added that the government was fully committed to facilitating the offshore exploration initiative and ensuring all necessary arrangements for the successful commencement of operations.
He assured the Turkish delegation of full support, stating that both countries would work together to achieve a landmark success that would be remembered for generations to come.
Secretary Petroleum also expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming arrival, saying the Petroleum Division was eager to welcome the vessel to Pakistan. He underscored the importance of coordination among all relevant departments and stakeholders to ensure smooth arrangements.
The TPOC project manager appreciated the support and cooperation extended by Pakistan, expressing confidence in the project. He said that the team had received encouraging support from Pakistani authorities and hoped for a successful outcome from the exploration effort.
Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2026
