The Ghauri Joint Venture (GJV) is claiming a ‘landmark achievement’ with its Ghauri X-1 well, located in district Jhelum, Punjab Province in Pakistan, as it is the first hydrocarbon discovery in the eastern part of Potwar Plateau. To date seven wells have been drilled in the license area without success. GJV comprises Mari Petroleum Company with 35% working interest as operator as well as Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and MOL with 35% and 30% working interests respectively.
Drilled to a total depth of 3,990m, Ghauri X-1 flowed 23° API oil through a 32/64” choke from the Sakessar Formation at an average rate of 1,193 bopd, which increased to 5,500 bopd after acid treatment, ranking it as one of the country’s top oil producing wells. Based on initial evaluation of this well test MOL believes the potential for this part of the Ghauri Block could be significant, although needing further evaluation. The partners have assigned in place reserves of 22 MMb to the Sakessar Formation, declaring that as they progress the development of the secondary reservoir Kussak Formation, they will develop a better understanding of the estimated reserves within the Ghauri Block.
Pakistan appears still to have good potential to increase domestic production of hydrocarbons. IHS GEPS studies suggest that there are 3.6 Bbo and 66 Tcf of natural gas yet to be discovered in the country. However, investment in the sector by foreign companies has been undermined by security challenges from militant groups operating in Balochistan province. Foreign investors have tended to avoid blocks in that province, preferring more secure and lower-risk acreage in more established areas in Sindh or Punjab provinces.
