ISLAMABAD — In a major move toward achieving self-sufficiency in energy, Federal Minister for Petroleum Mr. Ali Pervaiz Malik chaired a high-level progress review meeting on Pakistan’s first-ever shale gas pilot project.

The project, spearheaded by the Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), is poised to unlock massive untapped reserves, reshaping the country’s domestic energy landscape.

Phase 1 Success: Proof of Concept Achieved

During the session, the OGDCL delegation—led by Managing Director and CEO Mr. Ahmed Hayat Lak—briefed the Petroleum Minister on the project’s technical milestones.

The team confirmed that Pakistan is endowed with significant shale potential and that the pilot is being executed under strict sustainable resource exploitation protocols.

• Phase I Completed: Vertical drilling has been successfully finished, conclusively establishing the presence of viable shale formations.
• Phase II Finalized: A specialized team of OGDCL professionals, backed by international external experts, has meticulously planned the next stage to determine true commercial viability through horizontal fracking.

Timelines and Geographies

The infrastructure deployment and operational roadmap for the pilot project are already locked in:

• September 2026: Rig deployment at designated sites.
• December 2026: Commencement of horizontal fracking operations.
• Target Locations: The strategic pilot wells will be drilled in the Hyderabad and Sanghar districts of Sindh.

Scaling Up: The Road to 900 MMSCFD

If the Phase-II pilot proves commercially viable, Pakistan will immediately transition into a massive multi-year development phase.

According to OGDCL projections, the development phase will see the drilling of 60 to 70 wells annually. This aggressive scaling is estimated to yield an optimal production capacity of 800 to 900 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd), significantly offsetting the country’s reliance on expensive imported gas.

A New Chapter for Indigenous Energy

Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik lauded the dedication and technical expertise of the OGDCL professionals leading the project. He emphasized that proving the commercial viability of domestic shale gas is vital for securing Pakistan’s energy future using local resources.

Looking to expand the indigenous energy portfolio further, the Minister also directed OGDCL management to formulate and present a comprehensive roadmap for Tight Gas development alongside the ongoing shale initiatives.