ISLAMABAD: MariEnergies, a leading exploration and production company in Pakistan, has invested $250 million in the Waziristan Block, resulting in seven significant gas discoveries, including two tight gas reserves. These discoveries are projected to save the country $300 million annually in foreign exchange, a senior company official revealed.
The company’s latest success comes from the Spinwam-1 exploratory well, which has yielded four gas discoveries from different formations. One of these has already been brought into production, with the remaining expected to substantially reduce Pakistan’s reliance on imported fuel.
Initially awarded to Tullow in 2005, the Waziristan Block saw no development until MariEnergies took over operatorship in 2017. From 2017 to 2020, the company invested $34 million in seismic surveys despite severe geographical and security challenges.
Drilling of the first well began in June 2021, reaching a depth of 4,915 meters and confirming hydrocarbons in the Hangu and Lockhart formations. The Lockhart formation alone showed a controlled gas flow of 50 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD).
MariEnergies has operated in high-risk zones where militant activity poses continuous threats. Tragically, eight MPCL employees and five Frontier Corps soldiers lost their lives while protecting field operations.
The Shewa discovery, the first of its kind in North Waziristan, marks a breakthrough with Shewa-2 confirming major gas reserves. Gas supply from Shewa began on March 23, 2025, ramping up to 70 MMSCFD and 700 barrels/day of condensate. The discovery is expected to generate Rs6 billion annually in royalties and excise duties for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
Story by Khalid Mustafa
