Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL), a major oil and gas exploration and production company in Pakistan, has signed a Gas Processing Contract with Orient Petroleum Inc (OPI) for the provision of Early Production Facilities (EPF) on a turnkey basis for the Shewa-I Discovery in the Waziristan Block, said a statement issued on Thursday.

This comes after MPCL announced a gas and condensate discovery at the Shewa-I (formerly Bannu West-l) Exploration Well in the KP Province earlier this year. Under the terms of the contract, OPI will also provide Operations and Maintenance (O&M) services for 24 months from the start of production, with MPCL having the option to purchase the EPF equipment.

MPCL is the operator of the Waziristan Block with a 55% working interest, while OGDCL and OPI are joint venture partners with a working interest of 35% and 10%, respectively. The EPF will be crucial in processing the gas and condensate for commercial use, and OPI’s expertise in providing these services will help ensure efficient and safe production.

The gas and condensate discovery at Shewa-I has been a significant development for MPCL, as it contributes to the country’s growing energy demands. In addition to Shewa-I, MPCL also made a gas and condensate discovery in the Bannu West Block earlier this year.

MPCL is committed to the development of Pakistan’s oil and gas resources, and partnerships with companies like OPI are key in maximizing the potential of these reserves. The gas processing contract is expected to help MPCL move towards full-scale commercial production of the reserves in the Shewa-I Discovery, further contributing to Pakistan’s energy security.