By SKM
November 13, 2025
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has achieved a major milestone in its exploration journey, securing provisional awards for eight new offshore blocks in Pakistan’s latest competitive bidding round for hydrocarbon exploration.
The bidding was held by the government of Pakistan on October 31, 2025, and the results were announced on November 12, 2025. Demonstrating strong technical and commercial capabilities, PPL recorded a 100 percent success rate by winning all eight blocks it bid for, including two where it will serve as the operator.
The new offshore blocks awarded to PPL and its joint venture partners are Gharo Creek, Kochi Creek, Bin Qasim South, Keti Bandar, Behr, Zarrar, Offshore Deep D, and Sapat Bandar. These areas are considered prospective for oil and gas exploration and will significantly enhance Pakistan’s offshore exploration activity, which has gained momentum in recent years.
Out of the eight blocks, PPL will operate Gharo Creek (2466-9) and Kochi Creek (2366-8), with a 40 percent working interest in each. In these blocks, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and Mari Energies Limited will each hold a 30 percent stake. In the remaining six blocks—Bin Qasim South (2466-10), Keti Bandar (2367-6), Behr (2366-9), Zarrar (2267-3), Offshore Deep D (2366-11), and Sapat Bandar (2465-5)—PPL will participate as a joint venture partner alongside OGDCL, Mari Energies Limited, and Prime Global Energies Limited. Operatorship of these blocks will be shared among the partner companies based on their respective interests.
The government of Pakistan has provisionally awarded these exploration licenses to the joint ventures, subject to the execution of Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs), grant of Exploration Licenses, and finalization of Joint Operating Agreements (JOAs) among the partners. Once these formalities are completed, exploration activities will commence in accordance with the country’s petroleum exploration framework.
This achievement reflects PPL’s continued leadership and commitment to enhancing Pakistan’s domestic energy resources. By expanding its offshore portfolio and collaborating with other national companies, PPL aims to unlock new hydrocarbon prospects and contribute to the nation’s energy security and sustainable growth. Ends
