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Pakistan is set to achieve a major milestone in its energy sector. State-owned Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) plans to drill the country’s first offshore oil well in March 2026. This ambitious project targets the southern shoreline of Sindh and marks a significant step in the search for new hydrocarbon reserves.
For decades, Pakistan relied heavily on onshore discoveries. Now, the country is ready to tap into offshore resources. PPL executives view this move as a critical extension of their exploration efforts.
The operation focuses on the Sirani Block near the Sujawal district. This site sits approximately 30 kilometres from the mainland. Arshad Hussain Palekar, PPL’s General Manager of Exploration and Core Business Development, confirmed the details. He noted that this project extends onshore discoveries into the shoreline’s tidal zones.
PPL expects to find oil in this location. Consequently, the company plans to “spud” or begin drilling the well in March. Following the start date, the team expects assessment results within three months. Arshad Hussain stated that if the initial discovery is successful, the company could eventually drill up to 25 wells in the area.
Progress at the Sirani site requires complex engineering. The terrain is marshy and frequently affected by shifting tides. Historically, these conditions hindered exploration. Therefore, Pakistan Petroleum is constructing a reinforced site that functions as a sort of “island”.
To withstand unstable subsoil and tidal movements, engineers are elevating both the access road and the well pad by around nine feet. This facility is designed to accommodate up to 250 personnel during operations. Furthermore, construction is currently underway for loading and offloading jetties. The company will also utilise a 17-kilometre natural channel to transport heavy drilling equipment via barge.
A successful offshore discovery would be positive news for Pakistan’s economy. Currently, the country imports more than 60 per cent of its oil. Therefore, it remains vulnerable to global commodity price swings. Domestic reserves would significantly reduce this reliance.
This initiative follows PPL’s recent acquisition of eight new exploration blocks in the southern region. These include Gharo Creek, Keti Bandar, and Offshore Deep D. Additionally, success at Sirani could increase the prospectivity of the nearby Block C. This neighbouring block is operated by the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO).
Notably, Arshad Hussain clarified that this project is not directly related to recent comments by President Donald Trump regarding Pakistan’s oil reserves. Instead, the project relies on seismic data acquired by the company in 2006–07.
