Security plan being prepared for E&P activities in KP: petroleum minister

The federal government, in coordination with security forces, is working on a comprehensive plan to ensure the security of exploration and production (E&P) activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Petroleum Division said in a press release on Thursday.

The development was discussed during a meeting between Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik and KP Minister for Energy and Power Nazir Ahmed Abbasi in Islamabad, which focused on energy issues, oil and gas supplies, security of E&P activities and challenges facing the province.

The federal minister said a secure operating environment was essential for sustaining and expanding exploration activities in KP. He also briefed the provincial minister on the prevailing oil supply situation and volatility in international petroleum markets, saying developments in global markets were putting pressure on the domestic energy sector.

He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to maintaining stable and uninterrupted energy supplies.

The KP energy minister acknowledged the need to address security concerns to facilitate E&P operations and assured the provincial government’s full cooperation.

Both sides agreed that greater coordination among the federal government, security forces and the provincial government would be necessary to create a secure environment for E&P activities.

The ministers also agreed that increased exploration and production in KP would strengthen domestic energy security and raise royalty revenues for the province. Abbasi said the success rate of wells in the province was higher than the global average, highlighting its potential for further exploration and investment.

On gas supplies, Malik said the ongoing war and disruptions in international energy markets were putting pressure on gas availability. “Once the situation improves, the supply and distribution arrangements could be reassessed in light of the prevailing circumstances,” he stated.

The KP minister proposed establishing a provincial LPG company to meet the energy needs of people in hilly and remote areas, using the 10% LPG quota allocated for such areas under the LPG Policy.

Petroleum Division officials briefed the meeting on LPG allocations for hilly and forest areas and assured the KP government that details of allocation and supply would be shared with it.

Malik directed Petroleum Division officials to coordinate closely with the KP Energy Department and facilitate the provincial government in addressing its energy-related issues.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed the government to facilitate the public and safeguard state interests, stressing that politics should not come in the way of public welfare.

The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of the federal and provincial governments to greater coordination, increased energy-sector investment, improved security for E&P activities and better energy access in KP.

The KP minister said that the attitude of both governments should be to sit together, identify problems and find practical solutions to improve conditions for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.