Senate panel seeks briefing on fuel reserves

ISLAMABAD:

A Senate panel has sought a briefing on oil and gas reserves in Pakistan while noting explorations efforts spanning over many months often come to naught.

The Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum met on Friday under the chairmanship of Senator Umar Farooq. During the meeting, the petroleum secretary provided an update on the status of oil and gas exploration activities in the country.

The committee chairman noted that it was said that Pakistan's gas reservoirs are fast depleting. "The committee should be informed as to where drilling is currently underway." The petroleum secretary said companies conduct extensive surveys, including 2-D and 3-D mapping, before commencing drilling.

The committee chairman said people complained that sometimes no reservoir is found even after six to seven months of drilling. He said the committee must be given a detailed briefing on processes involved from exploration to production of oil and gas.

"Exploration initiatives were undertaken at some places but they remained unsuccessful. The committee must be informed as to why it takes 7 to 8 months in the exploration process.