Major Oil and Gas Reserves Discovered in Pakistan’s North Waziristan and Sindh

Pakistan’s energy sector is abuzz with optimism following multiple oil and gas discoveries in 2025, both onshore and offshore, that could reshape the nation’s economic and energy landscape. With Pakistan importing 85% of its crude oil and 29% of its natural gas, costing $17.5 billion annually, these finds in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and offshore waters offer a lifeline to reduce import dependency and bolster foreign reserves amid 30% inflation. Led by Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL), Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), and Mari Petroleum, alongside a new offshore exploration deal with Turkey, these discoveries signal a brighter future, though challenges like investment and security remain.

Key Discoveries in 2025

1. Makori Deep-03, Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

• Details: On June 27, 2025, POL and OGDCL announced a major find at the Makori Deep-03 well in the TAL Block, Karak. Drilled to 3,887 meters from December 2024, it produces 2,112 barrels of condensate and 22.08 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of gas at 4,744 psi from the Lockhart Formation.
• Impact: Set to join the production line by August 2025, this discovery could save millions in imports, boosting domestic supply in a region with proven hydrocarbon potential.
• Stakeholders: OGDCL (30%), MOL Pakistan (operator, 10%), PPL (30%), POL (25%), GHPL (5%).

2. Faakir-1, Khairpur, Sindh

• Details: OGDCL reported a breakthrough at the Faakir-1 wildcat well in the Bitrisim Block on June 13, 2025. Drilled to 4,185 meters, it yields 6.4 MMSCFD of gas and 55 barrels of condensate daily from the Lower Goru Formation.
• Impact: This find strengthens Sindh’s role in Pakistan’s energy mix, supporting local supply chains and reducing LNG import costs.
• Stakeholders: OGDCL (95%), GHPL (5%).

3. Spin Wam-1, Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

• Details: Mari Petroleum’s Spin Wam-1 well, discovered on February 25, 2025, produces 12.96 MMSCFD of gas and 20 barrels of oil daily. Drilled from May 2024, it enhances the Waziristan Block’s potential.
• Impact: With a 55% stake, Mari Petroleum estimates a 17-year lifespan, contributing to national grid stability and reducing fuel imports.
• Stakeholders: Mari Petroleum (55%), OGDCL (35%), Orient Petroleum Inc. (10%).

4. Offshore Reserves in Makran and Indus Basins

• Details: A three-year survey, completed in 2024 with a friendly nation, identified massive oil and gas deposits in Pakistan’s territorial waters, potentially the world’s fourth-largest reserves (estimated at 235 trillion cubic feet of gas). On July 9, 2025, Turkey signed an agreement to explore 40 offshore blocks with Pakistan’s Mari Energies, OGDCL, and PPL, led by Türkiye Petrolleri Anonim Ortaklığı (TPAO).
• Impact: Extracting 10% of these reserves over a decade could replace LNG imports, saving billions. The “blue water economy” could also yield minerals like cobalt and nickel, boosting revenue.
• Challenges: Exploration requires $5–30 billion, with drilling timelines of 4–5 years, and security concerns deter major oil companies like Shell and Total.

Additional Finds

• Shewa-2, North Waziristan: Mari Petroleum’s 2024 discovery yields 70 MMSCFD of gas, with 351.2 billion cubic feet of reserves, offering a 14–17-year supply to the national grid via a new SNGPL pipeline.
• Jhamp East X-1, Sujawal, Sindh: PPL’s 2024 find produces 10 MMSCFD of gas and 150 barrels of oil daily, processed at the Sujawal plant for SSGC’s network.
• Rajian Oilfield, Punjab: OGDCL increased output to 3,100 barrels of oil and 1 MMSCFD of gas daily, reinforcing Punjab’s hydrocarbon contributions.

Economic and Energy Implications

• Reserves Growth: Pakistan’s oil reserves grew 23% to 238 million barrels by December 2024, driven by onshore finds, though gas reserves remain flat at 0.9 trillion cubic meters.
• Import Reduction: These discoveries could cut Pakistan’s $17.5 billion energy import bill, with Karak and Waziristan finds saving millions annually. Offshore reserves could eliminate LNG imports if 10% is extracted.
• Economic Boost: Reduced imports could stabilize foreign reserves, which hit $9.4 billion in June 2024 after dropping to $2.9 billion in 2023.
• Job Creation: Exploration and production will create jobs, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh, supporting local economies.

Challenges

• Investment Needs: Offshore exploration alone requires $5 billion, with $25–30 billion needed for infrastructure and extraction over a decade.
• Security Risks: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s instability and attacks on foreign workers (e.g., Swat convoy attack in 2024) deter investment from oil majors like Shell and Total. China or Turkey may lead due to higher risk tolerance.
• Past Failures: A 2019 offshore drill at Kekra-1 by ExxonMobil and PPL yielded no results, raising skepticism. Current finds need rigorous analysis to confirm viability.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Pakistan’s aging refineries (420,000 barrels/day capacity) and pipelines need upgrades to handle increased output.

Strategic Moves

• Turkey Partnership: The 2025 deal with Turkey leverages TPAO’s expertise for offshore exploration, with bidding for 40 blocks underway.
• Digitalization: OGRA’s July 2025 supply chain digitization phase enhances transparency from refineries to retail, aiding efficiency.
• Policy Support: The New Electric Vehicle Policy (2025–2030) aims to reduce fossil fuel reliance, but oil and gas remain critical for the transition.

Outlook

Pakistan’s 2025 discoveries in Karak, Waziristan, Khairpur, and offshore waters offer a path to energy self-sufficiency. The Makori Deep-03 and Faakir-1 wells, alongside Waziristan’s Spin Wam-1, are already boosting domestic supply. The offshore reserves, potentially the world’s fourth-largest, could be transformative but face hurdles in funding, security, and time. With 45% of Pakistanis below the poverty line, these finds must be managed transparently to benefit citizens, not just elites.

Disclaimer: Data based on July 11, 2025, from OGDCL, POL, Mari Petroleum, and media sources. Verify with official statements, as reserve estimates and timelines may change.