Fossil Fuels Discovery in Pakistan: A Game Changer for the Nation's Energy Needs

Fossil Fuels Discovery in Pakistani Waters

A significant deposit of petroleum and natural gas has been discovered in Pakistan's territorial waters. This find, described as a potential game changer for the nation's economy, was verified through a three-year survey conducted in cooperation with an allied country.

Survey Findings and Future Prospects

The geographic survey has pinpointed the location of these resources, with relevant authorities promptly informing the government of what they found. This effort is part of Pakistan's strategy to leverage its blue water economy, which could yield more than just oil; valuable minerals are also speculated to be available.

Economic Implications

• The discovery may represent the world's fourth-largest oil and gas reserves.
• Current leaders include Venezuela, the US, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Canada, and Iraq.

Former Ogra member Muhammad Arif cautioned against premature optimism, emphasizing that the actual extraction process could take years. The exploration phase alone is estimated to cost around USD 5 billion with uncertain returns.

Investment and Infrastructure Challenges

Even if reserves are confirmed, it will require significant investment for well drilling and infrastructure setup. Currently, the potential to replace LNG imports with domestically sourced gas is under consideration, pending the results of further analyses.