October 06, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PSX:PPL), as part of the Kotri North Joint Venture, has discovered hydrocarbons from its exploratory well Barki-1, located in District Jamshoro, Sindh Province.

The discovery marks a promising addition to Pakistan’s domestic hydrocarbon resources.

According to the company’s disclosure, the Kotri North Joint Venture comprises United Energy Pakistan Limited (Operator, 50% working interest), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (40%), and Asia Resources Oil Limited (10%).

The exploration well Barki-1 was spudded on July 21, 2025, and drilled to a depth of 3,392 meters to test the hydrocarbon potential of the Late Cretaceous / Early Paleocene Sand formations.

Encouraging wireline logs and drilling data prompted Modular Dynamic Testing (MDT), which confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons in the interbedded sandstones of the Pab Formation, a known Late Cretaceous-age reservoir.

Subsequent Completion Integrity Testing (CIT) indicated an initial flow rate of 1.5 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of gas at a flowing wellhead pressure (FWHP) of 200 psig on a 32/64” choke. After an acid stimulation job, the post-stimulation flow rate improved significantly to 5.5 MMSCFD with FWHP increasing to 460 psig.

The Barki-1 discovery has validated the hydrocarbon potential of the Pab Sands in the Kotri North Block, with similar geological plays in the region currently under evaluation for future drilling opportunities.