Pakistan Discovers Largest-Ever Oil and Gas Reserves in Kohat

The Oil and Gas Development Company Limited has announced the largest oil and gas discovery from a single well in Pakistan's history at the Baragzai X-01 well in Kohat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik inaugurated commercial production from the well at a ceremony in Islamabad, calling it a monumental achievement for the country's energy security.

Current Production Numbers

The Baragzai X-01 well has reached cumulative production levels that make it the highest-producing well in Pakistan's history.

Resource	Current Production	Future Target
Oil	15,000 barrels per day	25,000 barrels per day
Natural Gas	45 million cubic feet per day	60 million cubic feet per day
LPG	15 metric tons per day	200 metric tons per day (by 2028)

The discovery spans five different geological formations in the Nashpa Block, where OGDCL used advanced drilling technology to access reserves in challenging terrain.

Economic Impact

Revenue Period	Amount
Daily Revenue	Rs156 million
Monthly Revenue	Rs4.7 billion
Annual Revenue	Rs57 billion

The well now accounts for approximately 10 per cent of Pakistan's total crude oil production.

Foreign Exchange Savings

Pakistan spends billions of dollars each year importing oil to meet domestic demand. The Kohat discovery directly reduces this burden. The project will save the country an estimated $329 million annually in foreign exchange by substituting imported fuels with domestically produced oil and gas.

This saving comes at a critical time. Pakistan's import bill for oil and gas has remained high, putting continuous pressure on foreign exchange reserves. Every barrel produced locally means one less barrel that needs to be purchased from international markets.

Technical Achievement

OGDCL developed the project in one of the country's most challenging terrains. The company laid an 8-kilometre pipeline in record time to connect the well with existing processing facilities at Mela and Nashpa. The well required critical modifications for gas processing and crude oil storage before production could begin. OGDCL completed these upgrades alongside the pipeline construction.

Future Production Targets

Resource	Current	2028 Target
Oil	15,000 bpd	25,000 bpd
Natural Gas	45 MMCFD	60 MMCFD
LPG	15 MT/day	200 MT/day

The company successfully brought the well into production following the testing and completion phase. Officials stated that production is expected to rise further in the near future, well before the 2028 targets.

Impact on Pakistan's Energy Mix

The discovery changes the composition of Pakistan's domestic energy supply. The Baragzai X-01 well now produces about one-tenth of all crude oil extracted in Pakistan. No single well in the country's history has ever contributed such a large share of total production.

For natural gas, the well adds 45 million cubic feet per day to the national supply. When production reaches the target of 60 million cubic feet, the contribution will grow further. Pakistan still relies heavily on imported energy. Oil and gas remain the largest components of the country's import bill. However, every discovery like Baragzai X-01 reduces that dependency incrementally.

Government Response

Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik formally inaugurated commercial production at a ceremony attended by Secretary Petroleum Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh, OGDCL Managing Director Ahmed Hayat Lak, and representatives of exploration and service companies.

The minister congratulated OGDCL, its joint venture partners, and service providers on the achievement. He emphasized the need to further strengthen indigenous energy development and encouraged enhanced collaboration across the exploration and production sector. Speaking at the ceremony, he termed the discovery monumental and a significant contribution to the country's energy security. He appreciated the efforts of local exploration and production companies that have stepped up during challenging times.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much oil does the Baragzai X-01 well produce daily?

The well currently produces 15,000 barrels of oil per day, with plans to increase production to 25,000 barrels per day.

How much natural gas does the well produce?

The well produces 45 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, targeted to reach 60 million cubic feet.

How much money will this discovery save Pakistan?

The project will save approximately $329 million annually in foreign exchange by reducing reliance on imported fuels.

What percentage of Pakistan's oil production comes from this well?

The Baragzai X-01 well contributes approximately 10 per cent of Pakistan's total crude oil production.

Where is the well located?

The well is located in the Nashpa Block in Kohat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

What are the revenue projections from this well?

The well generates an estimated Rs156 million daily, Rs4.7 billion monthly, and Rs57 billion annually.

How many geological formations contain hydrocarbons at this site?

The discovery spans five different geological formations at the Baragzai X-01 exploratory well.

The Bottom Line

The Baragzai X-01 discovery marks the largest oil and gas find from a single well in Pakistan's history. The well produces 15,000 barrels of oil and 45 million cubic feet of gas daily, accounting for 10 per cent of the country's total crude output.

The project generates Rs57 billion in annual revenue and saves $329 million yearly in foreign exchange by reducing imported fuel needs. Production is expected to rise to 25,000 barrels of oil and 60 million cubic feet of gas by 2028.

For a country that has long struggled with energy imports draining foreign reserves, this discovery offers a meaningful step toward greater self-sufficiency.