A significant natural gas discovery has been announced at the Soho-1 exploratory well in the Sujawal Block, located in the Sujawal district of Sindh province, Pakistan. This development is particularly noteworthy because the discovery was made in the Lower Goru (Massive Sand) formation, a zone previously considered unproductive in this block.
Mari Energies Limited (MPCL), formerly Mari Petroleum, is the operator of the Sujawal Block with a 100% working interest. The company reported that initial testing of the Lower Goru (Massive Sand) Formation at the Soho-1 well yielded promising results. At a choke size of 64/64 inches, the well flowed 30.01 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of gas with a wellhead flowing pressure of 1,482.5 pounds per square inch (psi). At a smaller choke size of 32/64 inches, the well flowed 18.84 MMSCFD at a higher wellhead flowing pressure of 3,447.8 psi.
This breakthrough in the Sujawal Block has opened up new avenues for exploration in the Massive Sands, a formation that has posed challenges and seen several failures in the region previously. Mari Energies is currently conducting further testing on additional targeted formations within the well to fully evaluate its potential.
This discovery is a positive development for Pakistan's energy sector, potentially increasing domestic gas production and contributing to the nation's energy security. It follows other recent hydrocarbon discoveries in the country, including in the Shah Bandar Block, also in Sujawal, and the Waziristan Block in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, indicating a renewed potential in Pakistan's indigenous energy resources.
The Sujawal Gas Field has been an area of exploration for some time. The first well, Sujawal X-1, was drilled in 2010, with gas production commencing in March 2013. Subsequent wells, Sujjal-1 and Aqeeq-1, were drilled in 2014 and 2017 respectively, contributing to the block's output. Processing facilities with a capacity of 25 MMSCFD, including gas-sweetening, hydrocarbon dew point control, and gas dehydration units, were commissioned in July 2015.
The recent success at Soho-1 in a previously unproductive formation highlights the ongoing efforts and advancements in exploration techniques that are unlocking new reserves and enhancing the country's energy landscape. Market analysts view this discovery as a potential boost to both Mari Energies' resource base and national gas supplies, especially crucial at a time when Pakistan faces growing energy demands.