PPL plans 6,000-metre exploratory well at Sui gas field
The state explorer is targeting 2 trillion cubic feet of gas in fiscal 2027-28 at an estimated cost of $35-40 million.
Pakistan Petroleum Limited plans to drill a 6,000-metre exploratory well at its Sui gas field in fiscal year 2027-28, with an initial gas target of 2 trillion cubic feet, the company told analysts on Wednesday.
PPL put the capital cost of the well, called Sui Deep, at $35-40 million. The company said high temperature and high pressure at that depth pose technical challenges. Arif Habib Limited, the brokerage that summarised the briefing in a research note, said the well is targeted for FY28.
The company is drilling to offset the natural depletion of its mature fields, which is running at about 8-9% a year. At that rate PPL has to add new volumes simply to hold production near current levels.
According to the Arif Habib note, PPL expects output of around 680 million cubic feet of gas equivalent per day in FY27, up from 649 MMscfde in FY26. The company expects 33 mmcfde of incremental production during the year, mainly from discoveries at Baragzai in Nashpa, Latif-25, Makori East, Tolanj West and Rehman-9 in the Kirthar Block. Development work at those fields is expected to contribute around 17 mmcfd of that increase.
PPL is also building processing capacity to move the additional gas into the transmission system. The Zafir gas processing plant is due to start operations in December 2026, initially contributing about 20 mmcfd of sales gas before rising to 40 mmcfd in a second phase. PPL holds a 65% working interest in the project.
The Pateji gas processing plant in Sujawal is under construction and is expected to be commissioned by June 2027. The facility is projected to add around 16 mmcfd of sales gas and generate about Rs8 billion in revenue.
Sui, in Dera Bugti district of Balochistan, is PPL's oldest producing field and has supplied gas to the national network for decades. The company did not say in the briefing when it expects first gas from the new well beyond the FY28 drilling window.
The figures reached the market through the brokerage note on the analyst briefing; PPL's own disclosure was the briefing itself.
How the reports differ
Business Recorder carried the Arif Habib Limited figures in full: the $35-40 million cost estimate, the 680 MMscfde FY27 production target and the timelines for the Zafir and Pateji plants. ProPakistani and TechJuice described the spending as "up to $40 million" rather than a range; TechJuice reproduced the production and plant figures, while ProPakistani's report was the shortest of the three. All three trace the plan to the same analyst briefing.
OGDCL reports gas and condensate find in Khairpur well
The listed explorer said the well flowed 12.8 million cubic feet of gas and 175 barrels of condensate a day and will be tied to the national gathering system fast.
Turkish seismic vessel due in Karachi to restart offshore exploration
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik reviewed logistics, maritime and security arrangements for the Turkish Petroleum Offshore Company survey, the first in nearly two decades.
Balochistan High Court hands ex-MPA Achakzai 10 years in policeman's death
A division bench set aside the 2020 acquittal of the former provincial lawmaker, ordered diyat for the officer's heirs and issued non-bailable arrest warrants.
Three held over Rs202m Uthal bank robbery, police say
Lasbela police say five of the suspects were current or former students at the district's marine sciences university, and that uniforms resembling security force kit were bought online.
Supreme Court judge says his heart weeps for Balochistan
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail told a farewell dinner in Quetta that peace would revive business activity and send people to the courts.
Field Marshal Munir calls for sustained training on SSG headquarters visit
ISPR said the army chief was briefed on specialised training and mission readiness; Dawn placed the visit in Turbat while Minute Mirror reported Tarbela.
MNA and senator seek parliamentary probe into armed visit to Quetta homes
Around 40 men photographed a house in the Single Housing Scheme and kicked doors at a second, two privilege motions filed in the National Assembly and Senate say.
Bugti and Maryam agree joint push on Balochistan Safe City
Punjab will give institutional support to the Balochistan Safe City Authority after a request from the provincial chief minister, Dawn reports.