OGDCL to Launch Large-Scale Drilling After Sindh Shale Gas Discovery
The discovery of Sindh shale gas has prompted the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) to move toward large-scale drilling operations. OGDCL Managing Director Ahmed Hayat Lak said the company confirmed major shale gas reserves in Hyderabad and Sanghar districts. He added that a successful pilot project has already proved the commercial potential of the reserves.
OGDCL prepares for large-scale drilling
Speaking in an interview, Ahmed Hayat Lak said OGDCL completed a successful vertical well that confirmed the presence of significant shale gas deposits. According to the initial assessment, the reserves are estimated at 7.5 trillion cubic feet (TCF).
The company has now entered the next phase of development. A rig has already been installed for horizontal drilling, which will help determine the full production potential of the field. Once engineers complete this stage in the coming months, OGDCL will begin drilling at another location.
Lak said the company will launch large-scale drilling after both wells prove successful. Moreover, he expressed confidence that advanced drilling technology will improve production efficiency and unlock more domestic energy resources.
New technology expected to boost energy output
The OGDCL chief said modern drilling methods could raise the company’s production to its highest level in history. He noted that horizontal drilling allows companies to recover more gas than conventional techniques. Therefore, the project could play an important role in strengthening Pakistan’s energy sector.
Lak also highlighted the company’s strong reserve replacement ratio of 160 percent. This figure shows that OGDCL continues to discover more resources than it produces each year. As a result, the company remains well-positioned for long-term growth.
Officials believe the Sindh shale gas project could reduce dependence on imported energy and improve energy security. If the upcoming drilling phase succeeds, OGDCL expects to accelerate production and support Pakistan’s growing energy needs with locally produced natural gas.
