The Petroleum Division has invited local and international upstream oil and gas companies for grant of petroleum exploration rights for 18 blocks including four in newly established Zone-I (F).

The Council of Common Interests (CCI) on December 23, 2019 set gas price for newly set-up Zone-1 (F) at $4.5 per million British thermal units, which is equal to the price for the offshore shallow Zone-0, if crude oil is at $40 per barrel. Maps of the licensing zones will be revised accordingly.

There are three zones called Zone-1, Zone-II and Zone-III for onshore hydrocarbon exploration on the basis of risk and investment requirements. West Balochistan, Pishin and Potohar Basins fall in Zone-1; Kirthar, East Balochistan, Punjab and Suleman Basin come in Zone-2 whereas Lower Indus Basin is in Zone-3.

Six Blocks put on bidding in Zone-I are located in Abbottabad, Nowshera, Hazro, Jhelum, North Dhurnal and Lilla.

Seven blocks are located in Zone-II which are Block 28 North, DI Khan West, Suleiman, Okara, Nurpur, Vehari and Sutlej. One block for exploration for oil and gas is situated in Zone III, Block 2770-4 (Islamgarh).