Pakistan Petroleum Limited announces gas and condensate discovery in Sindh's Sujawal

Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) announced a groundbreaking gas and condensate discovery in Sindh's Sujawal district on Monday. This marks the first-ever hydrocarbon discovery from the Jurassic-age Chiltan Formation in the Lower Indus Basin, opening up a new hydrocarbon play in previously untapped areas. The discovery was made from PPL's operated exploratory well, Dolphin X-1, at Sirani Block.

This pioneering find is set to enhance the prospects for shallow offshore exploration in Pakistan, an area previously considered inaccessible due to its challenging geographical location and marshy terrain. PPL utilized specialised transition equipment to acquire seismic data in this region. The well was spudded on April 17, 2026, and drilled to a depth of 3,850 meters to test the hydrocarbon potential of the Chiltan Formation.

The hydrocarbon-bearing zone was identified based on drilling results and wireline logs data. The production flowed good quality gas, with a heating value of 1000 British thermal units per standard cubic foot, at a rate of 0.942 MMSCFD, at a flowing pressure of 211 pounds per square inch gauge. Sirani Block is operated by PPL with a 75% Working Interest, along with joint venture partner Government Holdings Private Limited with 25% WI.

Preliminary results suggest that the reservoir has a "tight" nature, but further evaluation is needed to confirm this. PPL expressed gratitude for the "far-reaching vision" of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the "invaluable" support of the Pakistan Navy throughout the project.