PPL taps new oil flow from Dhok Sultan-03

KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has taken another significant stride toward strengthening the country’s energy independence with the commencement of oil production from its Dhok Sultan-03 well, located in the Dhok Sultan Block of District Attock, Punjab. The production began on November 1, 2025, under an Appraisal and Extended Well Testing (EWT) arrangement.

According to the official announcement, as the operator of the block, PPL holds a 75 per cent working interest, while Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL) owns the remaining 25 per cent. The joint venture’s setup is designed to efficiently manage both oil and gas streams: oil is being handled at the Dhok Sultan Oil Handling Facility, whereas gas is transported to the Meyal Gas Processing Facility for treatment and delivery.

Under the arrangement, the produced oil is being sold to Attock Refinery Limited (ARL), while gas sales are directed to Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) — the government-designated offtakers. The Dhok Sultan-03 operation has the potential to ramp up production to an impressive 1,400 barrels of oil per day, along with 2.5 million standard cubic feet of gas and around 15 tonnes of LPG daily.

Industry observers view this as a noteworthy development for Pakistan’s energy sector, which continues to grapple with a widening demand-supply gap. By producing hydrocarbons locally, PPL’s initiative is expected to not only ease pressure on the national energy balance but also conserve precious foreign exchange otherwise spent on imports.

Reaffirming its commitment to national energy security, PPL stated that it remains focused on enhancing hydrocarbon output in a cost-effective and sustainable manner. The company emphasised that continued exploration and development efforts like Dhok Sultan-03 are key to ensuring long-term energy resilience and supporting Pakistan’s broader economic growth.