Pakistan, UK experts to co-operate on gas exploration

LONDON: Pakistan and UK will enhance experts level cooperation for the development of oil and gas sector in Pakistan, particularly for extraction of natural gas from the shales.

Pakistan's Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr. Asim Hussain discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation in this context with Simon Toole, Head of Licensing, Exploration and Development at the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change here Tuesday.

Dr. Hussain informed that Pakistan has high quality gas resources which could be offered for exploration once seismic surveys are conducted.

Toole offered to assist Pakistan in this respect saying that the UK companies have good experience in this field. Dr. Hussain also dwelt upon developing policies for securing gas supply to the consumers through promoting competition wherever appropriate and said that Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority in Pakistan (OGRA)could gain from the experience of UK's office of the Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM) in this respect.

Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK Wajid Shamsul Hasan was also present at the meeting.

The Minister briefed on the potential of shale gas exploration in Pakistan. Toole informed that the UK's experience with shale gas was fairly new however the select committee's report has received support from the UK Members of Parliament for exploration of gas, from shales.

Dr.Hussain was given a detailed briefing on sources of gas supply in the UK, imports from Norway, off shore gas supply and domestic on shore sources including shale gas exploration. The pricing side with reference to domestic and industrial supply was also covered during the meeting.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011