Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), operator of the Sirani Exploration License holding 75% Working Interest (WI), along with Joint Venture Partner Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL) holding 25% WI, made a gas discovery from its exploration well Dolphin X-1, located in District Sujawal of Sindh province. The well, Dolphin X-1, was spudded as an exploratory well on 17th April 2026 and drilled down to 3,850 meters MD (Measured Depth) to test the hydrocarbon potential of the Chiltan Formation.

Hydrocarbon-bearing intervals were identified based on drilling results and open-hole log data. During post-acid testing of the Chiltan Formation, good-quality gas with a heating value of approximately 1,000 Btu/scf flowed at a rate of 0.942 MMscfd (Million Standard Cubic Feet Per Day) against a Wellhead Flowing Pressure (WHFP) of 211 psig at a 32/64" choke.

During pre-acid testing of the same formation, condensate was also surfaced at an initial rate of 94 BPD (Barrels Per Day), which reduced to 46 BPD within 24 hours; no condensate was observed during the subsequent post-acid testing. The company noted that the initial encounter of condensate provides an encouraging indication of hydrocarbon potential in the Chiltan Formation for further exploration and evaluation.

PPL stated that the discovery has proved the presence of a petroleum system and opened a new exploration frontier across the onshore marshy area and its possible extensions into shallow offshore.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)