Turkish seismic vessel due in Karachi Nov 17 to 20

A Turkish seismic survey vessel will reach Karachi between November 17 and 20 to begin offshore oil and gas exploration, Express News reported, after a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik reviewed the arrangements for the ship's arrival.

The report said the survey marks the resumption of offshore oil and gas exploration in Pakistan after 20 years. It gave no further details of the earlier exploration campaign.

The meeting reviewed the vessel's arrival schedule along with security, maritime and operational arrangements, according to Express News. Officials of the institutions involved in the arrival and the offshore operation attended.

Malik said he would personally receive the Turkish ship in Karachi. He called the arrival a milestone in Pakistan-Turkey friendship and said it follows the Mecca agreement.

Pakistan will give full support to Turkey for the offshore exploration project, the minister said. The project would strengthen Pakistan's energy security and expand bilateral energy cooperation, he said.

He said the two countries would together achieve a historic success that would be remembered for generations.

The Turkish Petroleum project manager thanked Pakistani officials for their cooperation, the report said.

The meeting directed all relevant institutions to ensure close coordination for the vessel's arrival and for the offshore operations. It was told that the arrival is a significant step toward reviving offshore exploration in Pakistan.

Express News did not name the vessel, give the area to be surveyed or say how long the operation would last. No date has been announced for the start of the survey itself.