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Huge oil, gas

reserves awaiting

exploitation

QUETTA: Five trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, about 40 km east of Quetta, 90 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves and six billion barrels of oil resources in Balochistan coastal belt are believed to be awaiting economic exploitation and correct utilisation, sources claimed here on Friday.

In northern Balochistan, new gas field found by Premier Exploration Pakistan Ltd, a subsidiary of Premier Oil, in Zarghoon south, shows the presence of rich gas reserves in the range. Right prospects for the gas reserves are based on two findings: experimental well and sample analysis.

Experimental drilling has indicated that the well could initially provide more than 16.7 million cubic feet of natural gas daily.

Similarly samples collected from drilling to the depth of more than 2,172 metres and analysed on international basis verified the presence of gas reserves to the tune of five trillion cubic feet of gas in Zarghoon South. In Zarghoon North, where search for oil and gas deposits, continues, has also initially indicated positive results. These resources are in the process of mobilisation by multinational oil and gas firm.

In southern Balochistan, more multinational oil and gas companies including the UMC of Australia in Panjgur, Kharan and Provincial off shore, engaged in oil and gas exploration, are hopeful of 90 trillion cubic feet of gas and six billion barrel of oil.

According to the sources, these new oil and gas deposits would be in addition to 500 million cubic feet of gas from Sui, 260 million cubic feet of gas from Uch, and 150 million cubic feet of gas from Pir Koh as well as 50 million cubic feet of gas from Loti made available daily for industrial, commercial and domestic consumption throughout the country from Balochistan.

Another gasfield at Ganderan under Loralai close to Marri Tribal Agency has been found by another multinational oil and gas company for initial supply of 12 million cubic feet of gas daily.