ISLAMABAD, July 30: The Petroleum Exploration Limited (PEL) will drill 16 exploratory wells in Kandra Block in Khairpur district in the next three years. The PEL has completed 350 kms of 2-D seismic survey of Kandra mining lease located in Kharpur District in upper Sindh in collaborating with a renowned Chinese firm, Sichuan Petroleum.

This was stated by chairman of PEL Zaheerudin during a meeting with federal minister for petroleum Amanullah Khan Jadoon here.

An official announcement issued here stated that the PEL chairman told the minister that specialised drilling equipment was imported from China and most modern field units would be utilised in Kandra Block. He informed that newly acquired seismic data had been sent to a renowned US spectrum company for evaluation.

He said that to expedite the spade work for oil and gas search, the PEL had tasked the Sichuan Petroleum to carry out seismic survey in its other blocks.

The joint venture partners in these blocks were Frontier Holdings of Canada and Government Holding.