Pakistan has made a significant breakthrough with the discovery of major gas reserves in the Shewa fields, located in North Waziristan. The reserves, estimated to contain around 351.2 billion cubic feet of gas, are projected to provide a steady supply for the next 17 years. This discovery is expected to play a crucial role in bolstering the country’s energy independence.
Plans are already in place to extract 70 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcfd) from the Shewa-2 well and integrate it into the national gas supply. This addition is expected to boost Pakistan’s daily gas production by over 3%, offering a vital lifeline to the country’s energy sector.
The increase in domestic gas production will not only strengthen Pakistan’s energy security but also help reduce reliance on costly fuel imports. By tapping into these local resources, Pakistan stands to save significant foreign exchange, which is often drained by purchasing fuel from abroad.
According to Mari Petroleum’s 2024 Annual Report, the company is on track to meet its goal of supplying 70 mmcfd of gas from Shewa-2 to the national grid. This will be facilitated through a new pipeline constructed by Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited. Sunny Kumar, a research analyst at Topline Research, noted that the pipeline is currently undergoing hydrotesting to ensure its safety and reliability.
The project, which previously faced delays due to security concerns in the region, saw the pipeline completed in August 2024. Once the Early Production Facilities are up and running and the system gradually ramps up, the gas will begin flowing into the national grid.
Mari Petroleum emphasized that this new gas discovery not only boosts the country’s gas supply but also enhances the company’s production capacity. With this development, Mari Petroleum expects to diversify its portfolio and witness a significant rise in revenues, further positioning itself as a key player in Pakistan’s energy sector.
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