Pakistan is collaborating with Azerbaijan and other nations in the development of the White Oil Pipeline, stated a senior official from the ...
Pakistan is collaborating with Azerbaijan and other nations in the development of the White Oil Pipeline, stated a senior official from the Petroleum Division during an international conference. Other speakers mentioned that Pakistan has the potential to access billions of barrels of previously unexplored oil and gas reserves using advanced AI-assisted exploration methods that enable deeper, quicker, and more precise resource identification.
Participants at the 2nd International Oil and Gas Conference 2025 on Monday highlighted that Pakistan's onshore and offshore regions have significant potential that is yet to be fully developed, and technological advancements can play a key role in bridging the increasing gap between supply and demand. The event was hosted by Energy Update in partnership with the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, and drew participation from major national and international companies, government officials, and industry specialists.
Deputy Secretary of the Petroleum Division, Shehbaz Tahir, informed the conference that the government has implemented reforms to stabilize the energy sector. He mentioned that challenges related to LNG still exist, but domestic LNG connections are now available. Ali Taha Al Temimi, Country Manager of Kuwait Petroleum, in his keynote speech, stated that Pakistan's local supply is no longer sufficient to meet the nation's energy requirements, forcing the country to depend significantly on imported fuel. He added that Pakistan currently produces a maximum of approximately four billion cubic feet of gas per day, which is much lower than the country's demand.
He argued that tight gas, shale gas, and deeper reservoirs present substantial new possibilities, with AI-enhanced analysis of geological data helping to accelerate exploration and cut down on the expensive drilling process. Chief guest Ali Taha Al Temimi informed attendees that Pakistan's oil and gas reserves are declining, while population growth and consumption keep increasing. He mentioned that Pakistan could have between ten and twenty billion barrels of oil equivalent in mature basins, along with thirty-five to seventy trillion cubic feet of tight gas and ninety-five to one hundred and five trillion cubic feet of shale gas in the lower Indus Basin.
He mentioned that modern seismic imaging and AI-enhanced geological models can assist Pakistan in exploring deeper stratigraphic layers that have not yet been examined. He noted that Pakistan's offshore area spans over two hundred and eighty-two thousand square kilometers, but only eighteen wells have been drilled to date. "This is exceptionally low for an area of this magnitude, and offshore Pakistan could contain between six and seven billion barrels of oil equivalent in potential resources," he said, adding that a significant offshore discovery could attract global companies to Pakistan, similar to how Namibia's offshore finds generated international interest.
Energy experts on the panel mentioned that Pakistan had entered into agreements to import RLNG with the intention of running several power stations in Punjab to address the country's energy shortage. They pointed out, however, that these LNG-powered plants are now mostly unnecessary because of the increasing availability of local energy sources, especially Thar coal, for electricity production. The specialists emphasized that RLNG should instead be easily accessible to industries for operating their own power plants, ensuring a continuous electricity supply and promoting locally produced power. They also highlighted the importance of comprehensive reforms to ensure the effective use of excess RLNG currently being imported into the nation. The panel members also emphasized the importance of LPG for remote and rural areas where piped natural gas is not available for home heating and cooking. They urged strict enforcement of safety rules related to the use and transport of LPG to safeguard consumers. The panel discussed stabilizing supply, market imbalances, and the need for balanced policies. Speakers stated that Pakistan's rising population, decreasing reserves, and expanding energy gap require urgent action.
They called for swift investment in exploration, expedited approvals, enhanced private sector involvement, and stable policies to enable Pakistan to attain long-term energy security. They emphasized that AI-assisted exploration and offshore drilling could transform Pakistan's energy landscape if supported by political will and investor trust. Earlier, in his opening speech, M Naeem Qureshi, Managing Director of Energy Update and Chairman of the Organising Committee, stated that the conference unites top experts and innovators to examine challenges and opportunities within Pakistan's oil and gas industry. The event included presentations from senior professionals such as Arshad Palekar, General Manager of Exploration and Core Business Development at Pakistan Petroleum Limited, Sohail Hashmi, Head of Exploration at Pak Arab Refinery Limited, and Saleem Anwar, General Manager at Attock Refinery, who discussed refinery issues, supply constraints, and the necessity for new exploration initiatives. Raziuddin Razi, CEO of Apex Energy, and Barrister Sarah Kazmi also spoke to the audience.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
