Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has informed the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) about the discovery of oil and gas at the Dhok Sultan-03 well in the Dhok Sultan Block (3371-15) located in Punjab Province.

In a material information disclosure, the Company stated, “We are pleased to announce that Pakistan Petroleum Limited (the ‘Company’), as the operator of the Dhok Sultan Exploration License, has made an oil and gas discovery at its well ‘Dhok Sultan-03’, situated in District Attock, Punjab Province. This is the second discovery in the Dhok Sultan Block by the Company, which holds a 75% working interest (WI), along with its joint venture partner, Government Holdings Private Limited (GHPL), which holds a 25% WI.”

After conducting rigorous internal geological and geophysical evaluations, the Dhok Sultan-03 well was spudded on January 18, 2025, and drilled to a depth of 5,815 meters measured depth below Kelly Bushing (MD BKB) to assess the hydrocarbon potential of the naturally fractured carbonates of the Patala and Lockhart formations.

Potential hydrocarbon-bearing zones were identified in these reservoirs based on the drilling results and wireline log interpretations. During testing, the well flowed 1,469 barrels of oil per day and 2.56 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) of gas at a wellhead flowing pressure (WHFP) of 1,147 psig on a 32/64” choke, and 2,113 barrels of oil per day and 4.13 MMscfd of gas at a WHFP of 813 psig on a 48/64” choke.

This achievement highlights the significant untapped hydrocarbon potential of the mature Potwar-Kohat sub-basin, which can be effectively accessed through the use of advanced technologies in prospect evaluation and well drilling. Additionally, this discovery is expected to contribute to increased hydrocarbon reserves and save substantial foreign exchange for the country through domestic hydrocarbon production.