Islamabad: The Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) has announced the discovery of 1 trillion cubic feet of a gas reservoir in North Waziristan, which is a tribal region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), news sources reported on June 1. The discovery of the gas supply will save the country USD 1.5 billion per annum.
According to the report, the massive gas deposit would be sold on the local market for USD 4 per million British Thermal Unit (MMBTU). In comparison, imported gas in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG) costs roughly USD25 per MMBTU. The MPCL reports that production of 25 million cubic feet of gas has begun from the ST-1 exploration well drilled in the Bannu west block, in North Waziristan-KP. Furthermore, additional gas supply from other wells will be 200 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD). Moreover, crude oil production from the Bannu West block has also been started.
According to MPCL, the well was spud-in on June 6, 2021, and successfully drilled to a depth of 4,915 metres. The Drill Stem Tests performed in the Lockhart Limestone formation flowed gas at a rate of about 25 Million Standard Cubic Feet Per Day (MMSCFD) with a wellhead flowing pressure (WHFP) of 4339 Psi and approximately 300 barrels per day of condensate at a choke size of 32/64-inch (Pre-acid job).
It is important to note that MPCL is the operator of the Bannu west block, with a 55% working interest, and OGDCL and ZPCL as joint venture partners, with a 35% and 10% working interest, respectively.
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