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.
A seismic vessel operated by Turkish Petroleum Offshore Company (TPOC) is expected to arrive in Karachi between November 17 and 20 to begin offshore oil and gas surveys, reviving a hunt that has been dormant for nearly two decades.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik reviewed preparations for the vessel's arrival at a meeting on Friday, where officials went through operational, logistical, maritime and security arrangements for the campaign.
Malik called the arrival an important milestone in Pakistan-Turkiye relations, particularly after the signing of the Mecca Agreement, and said it would open a new chapter in cooperation between the two countries. He said he would try to receive the vessel himself when it reaches Karachi and assured the Turkish delegation of the government's full support for the project.
The secretary petroleum welcomed the development and said government departments and other stakeholders needed to coordinate so that arrangements are in place before the ship arrives. The TPOC project manager thanked Pakistani authorities for their support and said he was confident in the exploration effort.
The meeting was attended by the director general of Petroleum Concessions and the managing directors of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited, Pakistan Petroleum Limited and Government Holdings (Private) Limited. Representatives of the ministries of foreign affairs, maritime affairs, defence and interior, the Board of Investment, the National Hydrographic Office Pakistan and the Directorate General of Ports and Shipping also took part.
The campaign follows Pakistan Petroleum Limited's signing of production sharing agreements and exploration licences for eight offshore blocks awarded in the Pakistan Offshore Bid Round 2025. PPL told the Pakistan Stock Exchange that the agreements were executed on May 20, 2026, in the presence of the petroleum minister, after the blocks were provisionally awarded on November 13, 2025.
Two of the blocks, Gharo Creek and Kochi Creek, are operated by PPL. The company is also a partner in six others: Bin Qasim South, Keti Bandar, Behr, Zarrar, Offshore Deep D and Sapat Bandar.
Pakistan's offshore acreage has seen little drilling for nearly two decades.
How the reports differ
Business Recorder led on the minister's Friday review meeting and carried the background the other report did not: the eight blocks awarded in the Pakistan Offshore Bid Round 2025, the May 20, 2026 signing date and Malik's reference to the Mecca Agreement. The Energy Update headline described the revival as "landmark" and put the November 17 to 20 arrival window itself in the headline. Both gave the same arrival window and the same operating company.
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