Bluff Called Out: Experts Reject Imran Khan’s Claim Of ‘Major Oil, Gas Discovery’ In Pakistan

Industry experts have rejected tall claims made by Imran Khan that Pakistan is going to make a major breakthrough in discovering its largest oil and gas reserves in the Arabian Sea.

The Kekra-1 well, G Block where the discovery is expected to happen has already been drilled to a depth of 3,700 meters which is 1,800 meters away from the target of 5,500 meters.

The spud drilling activities at Kekra-1 well was kicked off with $75-80 million by joint venture with 25 percent share each. ENI, an Italian company, is operator of the Kekra well-1. Exxon Mobile, OGDCL and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) are the sleeping partners of the joint venture.

A top official said, "It is too early to claim a major discovery," he also added quoting the data of ENI, "Earlier the well was drilled to a depth of 4,900 meters when a high pressure was felt causing huge mud loss and because of unsafe operation the well was plugged. Then the first side tracking started and when it reached down to 3100 meters, then it again met failure which is why the hole was also blocked and now the second side tracking is still underway."

Upon consulting the Additional Secretary and spokesman for the Petroleum Division Sher Afgan, confirmed that when drilling reached a depth of 4,800 meters, the sudden kick pressure came up causing imbalance to the drilling structure owing to which the drilling braved the mud loss.

GA Sabri, former special secretary Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources and former DG Oil said "Kick pressure was no sign of a major discovery. He said TOTAL had earlier spud the well in G Block and its depth target was 5,000 meter, but it abandoned the well just before 5,000 meter depth ensuring no discovery."

He explained, "Prior to drilling the Kekra-1, the probability of discovery was 19 percent, but after two sides tracking, the probability had reduced."

A total of 17 attempts were made since 1963 to drill wells for oil and gas but nothing has been discovered.

Companies like Shell, Sun Oil Company, Winter Shall, Marathon Oil Company, Husky Company, OGDCL, Occidental Company, Canterbury, Total and Ocean company have tried deep sea drilling with little no success in making any significant discoveries of oil and gas reserves.