Petroleum Division likely to hold bidding for 10 more exploration blocks in March

ISLAMABAD: Cognizant of the country’s ever-increasing energy needs and fast depletion of existing hydrocarbon reservoirs, the Petroleum Division is likely to hold open bidding for award of 10 more blocks in March aims at starting oil and gas exploration activities in different potential areas.

On November 26, 2018, the open bidding was held for 10 new exploration blocks, while the same number of new blocks was being planned to put up for the bidding in March, official sources told APP.

They said the government had devised an effective strategy to reinvigorate oil and gas exploration activities under which around 41 new blocks were being worked for awarding licences to interested Exploration and Production (E&P) companies.

“Currently, these blocks are in different phases of the award and clearance process,” the sources said adding, the country was in dire need of a ‘big’ discovery as according to a recent study, the existing deposits were feared to further deplete 60 percent by the year 2027.

They underlined the need for stepping up exploration activities in potential areas on war-footing saying, “The gap between demand and supply is widening with each passing day, which is increasing our reliance on imported petroleum products including gas.”

Accordingly, the sources said the Division had got security clearance for 38 exploration blocks. Out of which, 10 were in evaluation process for provisional award after the bidding opened in November last.

Giving details, the official said 10 blocks namely 3068-3 (Block-28 North) spanning on 637.05 square-kilometer in Loralai, Sibi and Kohlu, 2762-1 (Desert) on 2231.3 sq.kms in Kharan and Chaghi, 2667-9 (Khuzdar South) on 2493.36 sq.kms in Dadu and Khuzdar, 3269-1 (Wali West) on 1609.63 sq.kms in South and North Waziristan, 3073-3 (Punjab) on 2410.81 sq.kms in Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Sahiwal and Okara, 2972-4 (Cholistan) on 2478.46 sq.kms in Bahwalpur and Bahwalnagar, 3072-4 (Shakar Ganj) on 2479.37 sq.kms in Pakpattan, Bahwalnagar, Vehari and Sahiwal, 2768-13 (Sorah) on 1151.7 sq.kms in Sukkur and Khairpur, 2567-12 (Tuang) on 150.67 sq.kms in Jamshoro, 3069-10 (Musakhel) on 2198.8 sq.kms in Musakhel and Zhob, were under process for the provisional award.

While, 28 blocks, including 2770-3 (Islamgarh) on 2229.51sq.kms in Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan, 3069-9 (Suleiman) on 2175.26 sq.kms in Musakhel, Zhob and Loralai, 3068-6 (Qilla Saifullah) on 2421.96 sq.kms in Loralai, Zhob and Qilla Saifullah, 3168-1 (Multani) on 1120.39 sq.kms in Zhob, 3167-1 (Murgha Faqir Zai) on 5667.92 sq.kms in Zhob and Qilla Saifullah, 3066-1 (Huramzai) on 2262.27 sq.kms in Qilla Abdullah and Pishin, 2763-1 (Ladgasht) on 2452.88 sq.kms in Washuk, 3067-1 (Lugai) on 2344.01 sq. kms in Pishin and Qilla Saifullah, 3067-2 (Changai) on 545.18 sq.kms in Pishin, 2869-14 (Kalchas South) on 2425.11 sq.kms in Dera Bugti and Rajanpur, 3068-8 (South Pishin) on 2498.24 sq.kms in Zhob and Qilla Saifullah, 3167-3 (Tanishpa) on 2447.79 sq.kms in Zhob and Qilla Saifullah, 3168-2 (Shaigalu) on 2483.49 sq.kms in Zhob and Qilla Saifullah, 3372-25 (Abbottabad) on 2298.67 sq.kms in Mansehra and Abbottabad, 3273-5 (Jhelum) on 2474.59 sq.kms in Jhelum, Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin, 3372-25 (North Dhurnal) on 85.14 sq.kms in Attock, 3372-25 (Hazro) on 653.74 sq.kms in Haripur, Swabi and Attock, 3072-7 (Okara) on 2492.48 sq.kms in Sahiwal, Okara and Toba Tek Singh, 3171-2 (Nurpur) on 1941.62 sq.kms in Khushab, Mianwali and Bhakar, 3272-16 (Lillah) on 2361.12 sq.kms in Chakwal and Jhelum, 2972-5 (Vehari) on 2487.28 sq.kms in Bahawalpur, Vehari and Lodhran, 2972-2 (Sutlej) on 2312.56 sq.kms in Bahawalngar, Bahawalpur, Vehari and Khanewal, 2771-2 (Khangarh) on 2498.48 sq.kms in Bahawalpur, 2871-2 (Yazman) on 2488.61 sq.kms in Bahwalpur, 2872-1 (Noor South) on 2458.95 sq.kms in Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar, 2871-3 (Rukanpur) on 2472.25 sq.kms in Bahawalpur, 3271-7 (Makhand) on 1562.92 sq.kms in Attock, Mianwali and Chakwal, 2667-12 (Baran Block) on 2475.25 sq.kms in Dadu, Jamshoro, Khuzdar and Lasbela, had been cleared by the quarters concerned.

Whereas, three blocks namely 3069-8 (Kingri) on 2189.28 sq.kms in DG Khan and Musakhel, 3067-7 (Sharan) on 2497.89 sq.kms in Qilla Saifullah and Zhob, 3371-18 (Hassan Abdal Block) on 1811 sq.kms in Attock, Haripur, Rawalpindi and Islamabad, have not been cleared yet.

Answering a question, the sources said a radical and innovative petroleum policy was being worked out to attract local and foreign companies for investment in onshore and offshore exploration ventures in potential areas. The new policy would be finalized, keeping in view future needs of power and industrial sectors, they added.