By SKM
March 24, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC) on Tuesday announced it has begun oil production from Pasakhi-13, marking Pakistan’s first successful horizontal well in a clastic reservoir and a significant step forward in domestic energy development.
The well, located in Hyderabad District, is producing about 460 barrels per day (BPD), the company said. It was drilled to a total depth of 2,966 meters, including a 546-meter horizontal section in the Lower Goru – A Sand formation.
OGDC said advanced geo-steering technology enabled engineers to keep drilling within a tight three-meter zone in the reservoir’s most productive layer, ensuring optimal placement and improved recovery.
Horizontal drilling allows greater contact with oil-bearing rock compared to conventional vertical wells. OGDC said the well is delivering nearly three times higher output than nearby wells drilled under similar conditions.
The well has been completed using a short-string Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) designed for horizontal operations, supporting stable production despite complex reservoir conditions.
Pasakhi-13 is part of the Pasakhi & Pasakhi North Development and Production Lease, where OGDC holds a 100 percent working interest.
The development comes as Pakistan looks to boost domestic hydrocarbon output amid declining reserves and rising import dependence. Industry analysts say the successful application of horizontal drilling in a clastic reservoir could help unlock additional reserves and improve recovery from mature fields.
If scaled up, the technology could support higher local production, ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves, and attract fresh investment into the exploration and production sector.
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