Pakistan Makes First Successful Discovery of High-Quality Coastal Gas

Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) on Monday, 17 August 2026, announced the country’s first successful discovery of high-quality natural gas in a coastal marshy area with potential links to shallow offshore waters.

The discovery was made at the Dolphin X-1 exploration well in District Sujawal, Sindh, within the Sirani Exploration License. PPL holds a 75 percent working interest as operator, while Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL) holds the remaining 25 percent.

The well was spudded on 17 April 2026 and drilled to a depth of 3,850 metres to test the hydrocarbon potential of the Chiltan Formation. Hydrocarbon-bearing intervals were identified through drilling results and open-hole log data.

During post-acid testing, good-quality gas with a heating value of approximately 1,000 Btu/scf flowed at a rate of 0.942 million standard cubic feet per day against a wellhead flowing pressure of 211 psig on a 32/64-inch choke. Pre-acid testing had also produced condensate at an initial rate of 94 barrels per day, which later declined.

PPL stated that the discovery has confirmed the presence of a petroleum system and opened a new exploration frontier across the onshore marshy region and its possible extensions into shallow offshore areas. Experts have described the find in a relatively shallow coastal zone as an important milestone for Pakistan’s energy sector.

The company also acknowledged the support of the Pakistan Navy in enabling operations in the challenging terrain.