Govt prioritising exploration activities

Domestic production meeting only 15 per cent of demand.

ISLAMABAD:

The government is making all-out efforts to accelerate oil and gas exploration activities in different areas of the country to achieving self-reliance, according to Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar.

Speaking at the question-hour session of the Senate on Thursday, Qamar said, “The country is producing 15 per cent of the total oil consumption and a huge amount is spent on oil import to meet the daily demand.”

The total number of oil and gas fields in the country is around 150, of which 125 are actively producing, while 21 are being evaluated, and four are dormant. The current production of oil and gas from Balochistan stands at 98 barrels per day, and 74,581 million cubic feet per day, respectively.

Qamar said that Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC) were producing oil and gas from Pirkoh, Loti and Uch leases falling in the Dera Bugti district. Both companies have been spending substantial amounts on welfare projected being executed in these areas.

Qamar added that PPL had appointed 418 employees during last three years, and called for oil and gas companies operating in the country to give priority to local people where exploration was carried out.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8^th,  2011.