Pakistan has received encouraging news on the energy front as Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has announced a significant oil and gas discovery in Kohat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The discovery was made at the Baragzai X-01 (Slant) well located in the Nashpa Block, marking another positive step toward strengthening the country’s domestic energy resources.
According to OGDCL, the well was drilled to a depth of 5,170 meters and successfully tested hydrocarbons in the Jurassic-age Datta Formation. The formation, with a net thickness of 187 meters, is currently producing around 4,100 barrels of oil per day along with 10.5 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. These results were confirmed through a cased-hole Drill Stem Test (DST-02), which verified stable and commercially viable production.
This is not the first success at the Baragzai well. Earlier testing in the Kingriali Formation had also led to a positive discovery, further increasing the site’s importance. OGDCL operates the Nashpa Exploration License with a 65 percent working interest, while Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) holds 30 percent and Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL) has a 5 percent carried interest.
Energy experts believe this discovery can help reduce Pakistan’s reliance on imported fuel and ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves. As domestic oil and gas output improves, such finds are expected to support energy security and economic stability.
The Kohat discovery highlights the untapped potential of Pakistan’s hydrocarbon basins and reinforces the need for continued exploration and investment in the energy sector.
