Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has announced the country’s first-ever hydrocarbon discovery from the Jurassic-age Chiltan Formation in the Lower Indus Basin, describing it as the opening of a new exploration frontier in previously untapped and challenging areas.
According to a company statement, the discovery was made at the Dolphin X-1 exploratory well in the Sirani Block, located in Sindh’s Sujawal district.
PPL said the discovery had opened prospects for further exploration across the onshore marshy region and its possible extension into shallow offshore areas.
The company said the area had long been considered difficult to explore because of its geographical location and marshy terrain. PPL claimed it was the first exploration and production company to overcome these challenges by using specialised transition equipment to acquire seismic data.
“The development converts a formerly unexplored frontier area into a proven petroleum play,” the company said.
According to PPL, the Dolphin X-1 well was spudded on April 17, 2026, and drilled to a measured depth of 3,850 metres to assess the hydrocarbon potential of the Chiltan Formation.
Drilling results and wireline log data identified a hydrocarbon-bearing zone. During testing, the formation produced good-quality gas with a heating value of 1,000 British thermal units per standard cubic foot at a rate of 0.942 million standard cubic feet per day.
The gas flowed at a wellhead pressure of 211 pounds per square inch gauge through a 32/64-inch choke, the company said.
PPL operates the Sirani Block with a 75 per cent working interest, while Government Holdings Private Limited holds the remaining 25pc interest.
The company said the well was drilled and tested using local expertise and had resulted in the identification of a new hydrocarbon play within the Chiltan Limestone.
However, PPL cautioned that preliminary geological, geophysical and engineering data indicated the reservoir appeared to have a “tight” nature. It said the characteristics would require further evaluation using geological, geophysical and reservoir engineering data collected during drilling and testing.
PPL also acknowledged the support of the government and Pakistan Navy during the exploration project.
