Pakistan has announced a major discovery of oil and gas reserves in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, signalling a potential boost to the country’s domestic energy supply. The state-owned Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) revealed that its exploration efforts in the region have yielded significant quantities of crude oil and natural gas.

According to a notice submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, OGDCL’s exploratory well “Baragzai X-01”, located in the Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has begun producing approximately 3,100 barrels of crude oil and 8.15 million cubic feet of natural gas per day.

The company noted that additional production has been ongoing from two other wells in the area. OGDCL stated in a press release:

“This new discovery will help narrow the gap between domestic energy supply and demand while further enhancing the country’s hydrocarbon reserve base. Following this discovery, the Baragzai wells are now producing an estimated 9,480 barrels of crude oil per day, representing roughly 14.5% of Pakistan’s total domestic crude oil output.”

Currently, Pakistan produces around 66,000 barrels of crude oil daily, making this discovery a substantial contribution to national energy production.

This development comes at a crucial time, as Pakistan faces economic challenges and seeks to increase domestic energy production while reducing dependence on costly imports. Last year, the government signed five oil and gas exploration contracts with both local and international companies, covering three offshore and two onshore blocks, in a bid to boost domestic energy security.

The discovery is expected not only to strengthen Pakistan’s energy self-sufficiency but also to provide long-term economic benefits through potential export opportunities and reduced import bills. Energy analysts suggest that tapping into these reserves efficiently could help stabilise energy prices and support industrial growth across the country.

Production Overview from Baragzai Wells

With these latest findings, Pakistan moves closer to achieving greater energy independence while reinforcing its position as a country with untapped hydrocarbon potential.