A major oil reserve has been discovered near Jhelum in Punjab, opening up a new area for exploitation of natural resources.
With an estimated production of 5,500 barrels per day, the Ghauri X-1 oil well is expected to be the country’s largest oil-producing well and is likely to start contributing its output by the end of this month.
With the Petroleum Ministry’s consent, the Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) which operates the Ghauri Joint Venture (GJV), formally announced that it had made “a significant oil discovery” in the Ghauri X-1 oil well, located in the Dhemak village of district Jhelum.
“We have made a major oil discovery in the Sakessar Formation, in the eastern Potohar region in Ghauri X-1 Well,” said the company in a public announcement.
“The 3,800 metre-deep Ghauri Well is a landmark achievement, being the first hydrocarbon discovery in the eastern part of Potohar Plateau,” said the announcement.
This will go a long way in exploiting the so-far untapped potential in the area for other exploration and production companies, the statement said.