PPL makes gas and condensate discovery in Sindh

KARACHI: Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and its joint venture partners have made a gas and condensate discovery at an exploration well in Shah Bandar Block in Sindh province, the company said on Monday.

The Jhim East X-1 well, operated by PPL with a 63 percent working interest, was drilled to a depth of 2,545 metres and tested the hydrocarbon potential of the Lower Goru formation, PPL said in a statement.

The well flowed 13.69 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) of gas and 236 barrels per day of condensate at a wellhead pressure of 2,668 pounds per square inch (psig) at a 32/64 inch choke.

"Based on the drilling results and wireline logs, potential hydrocarbon bearing zones were identified. During testing of Lower Goru upper sand (A sand), the well flowed 13.69 MMscfd gas and 236 barrels/ day condensate at wellhead flowing pressure of 2,668 psig at 32 /64" choke," the company said. "The well is being further evaluated to obtain necessary information about its performance."

The discovery is the second one in the Shah Bandar Block, which covers an area of 2,467 square kilometres in District Sujawal, Sindh. The other joint venture partners are Mari Petroleum Company Limited with a 32 percent stake, Sindh Energy Holding Company Limited and Government Holdings (Private) Limited with 2.5 percent each.

The well was drilled and tested using indigenous expertise and will add hydrocarbon reserves to reduce the gap between energy supply and demand in the country, PPL said.