Karachi: Pakistan’s oil and gas production recorded a significant decline during the first half of the current financial year, with oil output dropping by 10% and gas production falling by 7%, according to data released on Wednesday.
The decline was largely attributed to forced curtailments at major fields like Nashpa and the TAL block, driven by reduced gas demand. Key oil fields, including Nashpa, Makori East, Pasakhi, Maramzai, Mardenkhel, Rajian, and Dhok Sultan, saw lower production during the July-December period. However, some fields, such as Mamikhel South, Sono, and Bettani, reported growth during the same timeframe.
Gas production also declined across key fields like Mari, Qadirpur, Sui, Sharf, Kandhkot, Nashpa, and Sutiari Deep. On a quarterly basis, oil output dropped 12% year-on-year, while gas production decreased by 7% in the second quarter of the fiscal year.
Exploration efforts faced challenges, with only 11 exploratory wells and 15 appraisal/development wells drilled, falling short of the targets of 27 exploratory and 40 appraisal/development wells. Despite this, Exploration and Production (E&P) companies achieved 15 discoveries, collectively adding approximately 2,075 barrels of oil per day (bopd) and 215 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas.
The data highlights the need for addressing challenges in the energy sector to stabilize and boost hydrocarbon production in the coming years.
