Karachi, January 2, 2026 – Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has announced a significant gas discovery in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, strengthening the country’s efforts to enhance energy security through indigenous resources.
In a notification submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), PPL confirmed the discovery of hydrocarbons at the Bilitang-1 exploratory well in the TAL Block, located in district Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to the disclosure, the TAL Joint Venture, operated by MOL Pakistan Oil & Gas Co. B.V. with a 10% working interest, includes Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) with 30% each, Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL) with 25%, and Government Holdings Private Limited (GHPL) with 5% working interest.
PPL stated that gas has been successfully discovered from the Hangu and Lumshiwal formations at the Bilitang-1 well. The exploratory well was spudded on August 10, 2025, and drilled to a total vertical depth (TVD) of 4,011 meters.
Based on the interpretation of LWD and wireline log data, the Hangu/Lumshiwal formations were initially tested at a flow rate of 1.58 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of gas using a 40/64-inch choke, with a wellhead flowing pressure of 164 psi.
The company noted that the discovery has de-risked further exploration prospects in the TAL Block, opening new upside opportunities for future drilling. It is also expected to contribute significantly to Pakistan’s energy security and expand the hydrocarbon reserves base of PPL, its joint venture partners, and the country.
The information was shared in compliance with Section 96 of the Securities Act, 2015, and Clause 5.6.1 of the Pakistan Stock Exchange Regulations.
Earlier, OGDCL also announced a major oil and gas discovery in the same region. At its Baragzai X-01 (Slant) exploratory well in district Kohat, oil and gas were discovered in the Datta Formation. During a cased-hole Drill Stem Test (DST-02), the well produced 4,100 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) and 10.5 MMSCFD of gas at a 32/64-inch choke, with a wellhead flowing pressure of 3,880 psig.
These consecutive discoveries underscore the strong hydrocarbon potential of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and mark a positive development for Pakistan’s oil and gas exploration sector.