KARACHI: The Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), a state-run oil and gas exploration firm, this week announced the discovery of new gas reserves in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, according to a Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) filing.

The new reserves were found in TAL block at Bilitang-1 exploratory well in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kohat district, according to the PPL filing submitted in the PSX.

Pakistan faces a widening energy gap due to rising demand and limited domestic output, forcing it to rely heavily on costly fuel imports that expose the economy to global price swings.

The exploratory well, spudded in on Aug. 10, reached target depth of 4011 meters.

“Based on interpretation results of LWD/wireline logs data, Hangu/Lumshiwal formations (exploratory targets) were initially tested successfully at rate of 1.58 Million Standard Cubic Feet per day (MMSCFD) gas at 40/64” choke against Wellhead Flowing Pressure (WHFP) 164 Pounds per Square Inch (Psi),” the PPL said in a letter to PSX dated Jan. 2.

“The said discovery will also help and contribute toward improving energy security of the country from indigenous resources and add to the hydrocarbon reserves base of PPL, its Joint Venture Partners and the country.”

The development came a day after the state-run Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) announced the discovery of oil and gas reserves in Datta formation at an exploratory well drilled in Kohat.

“During case-hole Drill Stem Test (DST-02) in Datta Formation (Jurassic age), the well flowed at the rate of 4,100 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) and 10.5 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of gas,” OGDCL Company Secretary Wasim Ahmad said in a PSX filing.

Pakistan has reported several oil and gas finds in recent months as it steps up efforts to boost domestic output.

In Sept., Pakistan Petroleum Limited announced a discovery in Attock district of Punjab, while Mari Energies reported a new gas find in North Waziristan earlier this year.