ISLAMABAD, July 6: The government on Wednesday granted two petroleum exploration licences over block Nos 2565-I (Samandar) and 3371-II (Dhok Sultan) to Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL).

An official statement issued here said the licences will cover areas of 2495.33 square km and 703.23 square km, respectively, in zone-I.

Samandar block falls in districts Awarn and Uthal of Balochistan and Dhok Sultan block in districts of Rawalpindi, Mianwali and Attock of Punjab and Kohat of NWFP.

A minimum firm investment of over $13.76 million and a contingent investment of $7.24 million will be made in the two blocks. During the first phase of the initial term of these licences, OGDCL will carry out G&C studies, geological field work (traverses 150 line km), 300 line km 2-D seismic acquisition, its processing and interpretation in Samandar block, and G&G studies, 200 line km 2-D seismic acquisition, its processing, interpretation and drilling of an exploration well up to 5,500 or 50 meters in Lockhart formation in Dhok Sultan block.

OGDCL is currently operator of 23 exploration licences and 38 leases, besides interest in 32 non-operative leases. It is producing 31,879 barrels of oil, 890 million cubic feet of gas, 279 tons of LPG and 68 tons of sulphur per day.

The licences and petroleum concession agreements were signed by Ahmad Waqar, Secretary, Petroleum and Natural Resources, Mohammad Naseem Malik, Director General, Petroleum Concessions, and Mohammad Raziuddin, Managing Director, ODGCL.

The ceremony was witnessed by Petroleum and Natural Resources Minister Amanullah Khan Jadoon and Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources Muhammad Naseer Mengal.