Striking black gold: Man digs for water, finds oil in Bahawalpur

Chinese company working on discovery with local engineers.


Shahid Hameed February 22, 2012

BAHAWALPUR:


When landlord Muneer Ahmed ordered the digging of a well in Bahawalpur, the last thing he expected to strike was black gold.


Following the discovery of oil near the Lal Sohanra National Park, the area was taken into custody by the ministry of petroleum and natural resources. The ministry also deputed security officials around the well and its surrounding areas.

A joint team of Pakistani and Chinese engineers has been formed to work in the area, said an official from the petroleum ministry. A large oil reservoir has been discovered but we are trying to locate its depth, the official said.

He added that engineers are also studying other areas in district Bahawalpur to check the availability of oil in the region.

The property where oil was found had been part of agricultural land donated to farmers, said Hassan Daha, former mayor from the area.

The land, however, is under the jurisdiction of Lal Sohanra National Park, he added.

Ahmed, who made the inadvertent discovery, said he was not aware of it earlier but has now been informed by officials that the area where the discovery was made did not fall in his property. The China National Petroleum Corporation has been tasked to work, in coordination with local engineers, in the area.

Meanwhile, the site has been cordoned off with barbed wire on the orders of local police chief Ishaq Jehangir.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2012.

COMMENTS (28)

M. B. F. | 12 years ago | Reply Oh No! When land leaks oil it means not many days left for water in soil. Shaikh of Bahawalpur will ask for his mining rights now! In the end the question will be asked: If I can survive on my own why do I have to put up with your attitude? Punjabis, if want resources of non-Punjabis they now have to recognize their rights before using Army from the center or they not only loose that resource, they might loose a piece of sustaining land or the country too.
Sajid | 12 years ago | Reply

Told ya we are Arabs!

VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ