PGNiG opens first gas drill in Pakistan

"The new gas mine is a basis for further work aimed at a full development of oil fields Rehman and Rizq, which will increase the extraction of raw materials from the Kirthar license eightfold” to 800 cubic metres per minute, PGNiG stated in a communique quoted by the Polish news agency IAR.

Tuesday’s opening ceremony held at the site was attended by Polish Ambassador Piotr Opaliński and Pakistan’s Oil and Gas Minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, as well as PGNiG and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) company representatives.

“Current earnings from the sale of gas in Pakistan are worth USD 25 million net,” Vice-President of PGNiG’s Board of Directors, Zbigniew Skrzypkiewicz, stated.

PGNiG discovered 4.5 billion cubic metres of unconventional, tight gas resources earlier this year.

As the Polish gas company plans further exploration, they expect to find at least one other deposit.

“Work in the Kirthar block [in northeastern Pakistan] is conducted jointly with Pakistan Petroleum Ltd., with production and expenses shared proportionately to the parties’ interests in the licence: PGNiG (operator) – 70 percent, Pakistan Petroleum Ltd. – 30 percent,” the gas company from Poland stated on their website.

The Polish gas giant, which has been present in Pakistan since 2005, is aiming to begin production by the end of December. (ua/aba/rk)

Source: PGNIG, IAR