ISLAMABAD, May 30 (ABC): The Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has made 19 oil and gas discoveries across Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since 2023. The discoveries are strengthening Pakistan’s energy security and reducing dependence on costly fuel imports.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the discoveries have an estimated cumulative production potential of about 17,123 barrels per day (BPD) of oil and 151 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of gas. These finds are expected to generate daily import substitution worth nearly Rs1.2 billion.
Discoveries accelerate over three years
OGDCL made five discoveries during FY2023-24. These discoveries added 481 BPD of oil and 29.66 MMSCFD of gas. They generated an estimated daily import substitution of Rs283.48 million.
The company recorded another five discoveries in FY2024-25. These finds contributed 947 BPD of oil and 34.49 MMSCFD of gas. They also reduced import costs by about Rs279.70 million per day.
During the first nine months of FY2025-26, OGDCL accelerated exploration activities and made nine additional discoveries. These discoveries have an estimated production potential of 15,695 BPD of oil and 86.95 MMSCFD of gas. They are expected to save around Rs633.45 million per day in import expenditure.
Baragzai discovery stands out
Among the major discoveries, the multi-zone hydrocarbon finds at Baragzai X-01 proved particularly significant.
The well has a tested cumulative production potential of around 15,005 BPD of oil and 45.36 MMSCFD of gas. The discovery represents one of the most important additions to OGDCL’s resource base in recent years.
Reserve life expands to 17 years
The company also improved its Reserve Replacement Ratio (RRR), which measures reserve additions against production.
OGDCL’s RRR stood at 56% in FY2023-24. It increased sharply to 167% in FY2024-25 and remained strong at 153% during the first nine months of FY2025-26.
As a result, OGDCL increased its reserve life from 14 years to 17 years as of March 31, 2026. The improvement reflects stronger hydrocarbon sustainability and future production potential.
More wells brought into production
The documents show that OGDCL brought 34 wells and fields into production during the review period. The company took these steps to monetise discovered resources and boost energy output.
In FY2022-23, OGDCL brought five wells online. These wells produced 990 BPD of oil and 18.28 MMSCFD of gas.
During FY2023-24, the company added 11 wells. These wells contributed 4,398 BPD of oil and 43.23 MMSCFD of gas.
In FY2024-25, another eight wells entered production. They added 744 BPD of oil and 41.80 MMSCFD of gas.
During FY2025-26 up to April, OGDCL brought 11 more wells online. These wells are producing an estimated 9,734 BPD of oil and 74.25 MMSCFD of gas.
Production enhancement boosts output
Alongside new discoveries, OGDCL intensified production enhancement efforts across its fields.
The company carried out more than 65 rig workovers and over 295 rigless interventions. These activities generated an estimated incremental production impact of about 17,000 BPD of oil and 90 MMSCFD of gas.
The latest discoveries, new wells and production enhancement measures highlight OGDCL’s growing role in strengthening Pakistan’s energy sector and reducing the country’s reliance on imported fuels.
