ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Energy has provisionally awarded petroleum exploration rights for seven new blocks to a consortium of local and international energy firms, including Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), officials announced Tuesday.
The blocks, located in Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab provinces, were awarded following a competitive bidding round held in April. The winning companies include OGDCL, Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL), Mari Energies Limited (MARI), Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL), Turkish Petroleum Overseas Company (TPOC) and Prime Global Energies Limited (Prime).
The awards are based on work commitments submitted by the firms and are pending final approval through exploration licenses and petroleum concession agreements.
OGDCL, Pakistan’s largest exploration company, secured operating rights in three blocks—Kalat North (100%), Naing Sharif (70%) and Khiu-II (60%). It will also hold minority stakes in four other blocks, including Ahmad Wal (40%), Kalat South (30%), Sukhpur-II (30%) and Ziarat North (24.87%).
Mari Energies will operate the Ahmad Wal and Ziarat North blocks, while PPL will lead exploration in Kalat South. Prime Global Energies will operate Sukhpur-II alongside other partners.
The bidding round aligns with Pakistan’s strategy to boost domestic hydrocarbon exploration and expand energy reserves. OGDCL said the new blocks will accelerate its exploratory activities and support long-term production growth.
Final agreements are expected to be signed after regulatory approvals.