Oceanic resources: Offshore exploration to be expedited

Dr Asrar says Pakistan needs to develop capacity in the areas of mining of the seabed for utilising mineral deposits.

ISLAMABAD: Exploitation of tidal energy and sea-based minerals and gas hydrates will be expedited, as research in the Arabian Sea has found evidence of the presence of a large quantity of gas hydrates off the Makran coast, Pakistan Council for Science and Technology Chairperson Dr Mudasar Asrar said while talking to APP. According to the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2012, target-oriented exploration activities are required to be conducted to quantify and map the expected potential of this huge source of natural methane gas as well as oil and gas resources in maritime areas. Asrar said it is essential to map the available resources of the sea through oceanographic, bathymetric seafloor classification and high resolution seismic surveys. She said Pakistan also needs to develop capacity in the areas of mining of the seabed for utilising mineral deposits.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2012.