KARACHI, Jan 24: Commercial production has commenced from December 30 last at Bhit Gas Field, located some 180-km north of Karachi in the Kirthar Region.

An announcement to this effect was made by Eni Group here on Friday on behalf of Kirthar Joint Venture.

It said the field is operated by Eni with a 40 per cent working interest in partnership with Kirthar Petroleum BV — a Shell Group company 28 per cent, OGDCL 20 per cent and Premier-Kufpec Pakistan 12 per cent.

The announcement said it has reserves of 172 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) and will reach a plateau production later in March this year in excess of 40,000 BOE per day which will be sold in the domestic market.

It said the development project, totalling $236 million of which Eni Group has invested $94 million, was completed within 25 months and under-budget.—APP