The Karak Block was granted to MGCL, as operator and 100 per cent interest owner, on April 14, 2005, later MOL Pakistan Oil and Gas Company of Hungary acquired 40 per cent interest share in the block from MGCL. - File photo

ISLAMABAD: Mari Gas Company Limited (MGCL) has discovered 1,700 barrels a day crude oil with the additional potential of associated gas during the drilling of Halini Well (near the village Kamar Sar, Tehsil Essa Kheil, District Mianwali in its operated Karak Block.

The block is located at the boundaries of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces (between the districts of Karak and Mianwali). The discovery is estimated to accrue huge foreign exchange savings which could range in billion of dollars at the current oil price trend and thus contribute towards the nation’s endeavour to reduce dependence on imported energy.

The Halini Well was spud on January 7, 2011. The well has been drilled up to a depth of 5,350 metres. During the initial short duration tests carried out, the well flowed at the average rate of 1,700 barrels per day crude oil of API gravity 26 at 32/64” choke size.

The flow rates from the well are expected to increase with further testing and stimulation treatment which is planned to be conducted, shortly. The prospect is estimated to spread over a large area and the company is planning to drill additional wells to delineate the exact extent, size and reserves potential of this oil discovery.

The Karak Block was granted to MGCL, as operator and 100 per cent interest owner, on April 14, 2005, later MOL Pakistan Oil and Gas Company of Hungary acquired 40 per cent interest share in the block from MGCL.

MGCL has also made a gas/condensate discovery last year in its 100 per cent operated Sujawal Block in Sindh which is being put on test production by installing early production facilities.

MGCL also discovered the first ever oil in Balochistan when its Ziarat well flowed crude oil which is currently being evaluated/appraised for bringing it on production. Other recent discovery of gas by MGCL in its Sukkur Block’s Koonj Well has also been put on test production for gas supply to SNGPL. While, 44 mmcfd of gas from Mari Deep Reservoir would be provided to SNGPL.