MariEnergies has revealed a notable gas find at the Mari Ghazij-1 exploration well, located in the Mari Development & Production Lease (Mari D&PL) area in Sindh Province, Pakistan. Fully owning and operating the Mari D&PL, the company drilled the well to a depth of 1,015 meters. Drilling began on 24 November 2022, and testing confirmed a gas flow of 5.1 million standard cubic feet per day, with a wellhead pressure of 232 pounds per square inch using a 64/64-inch choke.

MariEnergies plans to appraise the discovery further to determine its extent and evaluate development options.

This well is the first specifically aimed at exploring multiple Ghazij Limestone layers. The idea stemmed from the Iqbal-1 well, where a slim limestone layer in the Ghazij Formation yielded about 500,000 cubic feet of gas daily. This led MariEnergies to conduct an in-depth analysis of the limestone units across the Mari D&PL area, culminating in the current discovery. The company now plans to assess the find further, aiming to gauge its scale and explore development possibilities.

MariEnergies, holding a 23% share of Pakistan’s gas market, seeks to counter the country’s declining gas output by boosting production from existing fields and pursuing active exploration. This discovery supports those efforts, adding to the nation’s energy resources without affecting trade balances like exports or consumption.

In a separate update, Pakistan Petroleum (PPL) reported a hydrocarbon discovery in November 2024 at the Pateji X-1 well in the Shah Bandar Block, also in Sindh. Drilled to 2,475 meters, the well targeted the upper sands of the Lower Goru Formation. This find, the third in a row for PPL in the block, strengthens its exploration track record. PPL operates the Shah Bandar Block with a 63% stake, partnering with Mari Petroleum Company (32%), Sindh Energy Holding Company (2.5%), and Government Holdings (Private) (2.5%). This discovery is expected to play a key role in bolstering Pakistan’s energy supply.

Both finds highlight ongoing efforts to tap into Sindh’s subsurface resources. MariEnergies’ focus on the Ghazij Formation and PPL’s success in the Lower Goru Formation reflect targeted strategies to enhance local energy production. These developments prioritize operational gains over import reliance, maintaining a clear distinction from consumption patterns.

The Mari Ghazij-1 and Pateji X-1 wells mark significant steps for Pakistan’s energy sector. MariEnergies’ next phase involves detailed evaluation, while PPL’s consistent results in Shah Bandar reinforce the region’s potential. Together, these efforts contribute to energy stability, driven by precise geological insights and collaborative execution.