Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (PSX: OGDC) has successfully commenced production from Pasakhi-13, marking Pakistan’s first horizontal oil well in a clastic reservoir (Lower Goru-A sand). Located in District Hyderabad, Sindh, the well is currently producing 460 barrels of oil per day (BPD).
Read More: PTA Grants Technical Approval for Ufone-Telenor Merger
The achievement represents a significant technological milestone for Pakistan’s upstream oil and gas sector, demonstrating OGDC’s commitment to technical excellence and innovation in hydrocarbon exploration and production.
Advanced Drilling Technology
Drilled to a measured depth of 2,966 meters, Pasakhi-13 features a 546-meter horizontal section and utilizes geo-steering technology. This advanced technique allowed precise navigation within a narrow 3-meter drilling window to optimally target the reservoir’s sweet spot—the most productive zone within the formation.
The well was completed and tested with a short-string Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) , specially optimized for horizontal well configurations. This specialized equipment ensures efficient production from the horizontal section, maximizing recovery from the reservoir.
Exceptional Production Results
The advanced drilling approach has resulted in almost three times higher production compared to offset wells under similar conditions, despite challenging reservoir characteristics. This exceptional result validates the effectiveness of horizontal drilling technology in Pakistan’s geological settings.
The production achievement is particularly significant given the challenging nature of the reservoir. The successful application of horizontal drilling and geo-steering technologies demonstrates OGDC’s ability to overcome technical hurdles and extract value from complex formations.
Asset Details
Pasakhi-13 is part of the Pasakhi & Pasakhi North Development & Production Lease, where OGDCL holds a 100% working interest. The company operates the asset independently, retaining full ownership of the production and associated revenues.
Strategic Significance
This milestone underscores OGDC’s role as a pioneer in adopting cutting-edge technologies in Pakistan’s upstream oil sector. The successful implementation of horizontal drilling opens new possibilities for developing similar reservoirs across the country.
Key strategic benefits include:
- Enhanced Recovery: Horizontal wells typically recover more oil than conventional vertical wells from the same reservoir
- Technology Transfer: Builds local expertise in advanced drilling techniques
- Energy Security: Boosts indigenous hydrocarbon production, reducing import dependence
- Future Applications: Creates blueprint for developing similar clastic reservoirs nationwide
About OGDC
Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (PSX: OGDC) is Pakistan’s largest exploration and production company, with a diverse portfolio of assets across the country. The company is majority-owned by the Government of Pakistan and plays a leading role in the nation’s energy sector.
About Horizontal Drilling
Horizontal drilling is an advanced technique that allows a well to be drilled vertically to a certain depth and then turned horizontally to follow the reservoir layer. This exposes more of the reservoir to the wellbore, increasing production rates and ultimate recovery compared to conventional vertical wells. Geo-steering technology enables real-time navigation to keep the drill bit within the most productive zones of the reservoir.
