The Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Pakistan’s largest state-owned exploration and production company, has commenced oil production from its Pasakhi-14 development well in the Hyderabad district of Sindh.
The well, drilled to a depth of 2,183 metres targeting the hydrocarbon-rich upper sands of the Lower Goru formation, is now producing 1,100 barrels of oil per day (bopd), marking a major increase to the company’s output and efforts toward national energy security.
Situated within the Pasakhi and Pasakhi North Development and Production Lease, where OGDCL holds a 100 per cent working interest, the Pasakhi-14 well demonstrates advanced drilling capabilities.
For the first time, OGDCL employed a nitrified mud system during drilling, alongside a Rotary Steerable System (RSS) and Electromagnetic Measurement While Drilling (MWD), technologies that enhanced directional control and preserved formation integrity.
These technologies represent OGDCL’s commitment to efficient and precise drilling operations.
To maximise production efficiency, Pasakhi-14 is equipped with electric submersible pump (ESP) technology.
This integration supports sustained oil extraction and aligns with OGDCL’s strategy to optimise production while supporting Pakistan’s energy needs amid ongoing domestic supply challenges.
OGDCL, founded in 1997 as the successor to the Oil and Gas Development Corporation established in 1961, continues to be a cornerstone of Pakistan’s upstream oil and gas sector.
The company has a track record of exploring and developing key petroleum assets across the country.
Last year, OGDCL also commenced production at Kunnar West Well-3 in Hyderabad district, which produces daily 3.5 million cubic feet of gas, 30 barrels of condensate, and 3.8 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas.
Further strengthening its exploration portfolio, OGDCL and its joint venture partners — Pakistan Petroleum, Mari Energies, and Prime Global Energies — secured a provisional award for eight offshore exploration blocks during a recent government-led competitive bidding round.
This expansion highlights OGDCL’s proactive role in boosting Pakistan’s hydrocarbon reserves and reducing dependency on imports, which stood at around 169,000 barrels per day in 2024 according to Vortexa data.
The new production from Pasakhi-14 not only supports the company’s strategic goals for focused exploration, efficient drilling, and production optimisation but also contributes positively to Pakistan’s energy security landscape.
OGDCL’s continuous efforts to deploy advanced drilling technologies and expand exploration activities are critical in addressing the country’s growing energy demand and supply gap.
For context, OGDCL operates approximately 50 oil fields and 18 processing plants across Pakistan, underlining its dominant position in the sector.
Its ongoing projects and new discoveries, including Pasakhi-14, underscore the company’s dedication to leveraging both technology and expertise to enhance domestic energy production.
This milestone was officially disclosed through a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange last Friday.
