A total of 77 wells, 32 exploratory and 45 appraisal were spudded by the foreign and local oil and gas exploratory companies during the last year.
As many as 10 discoveries were made during the year in Jhaberi South-1, Chak 201, Resha-1, Norai Jagir-1, Khanpur X-1, Hakeem Dahoo-1, Manzali-1, Bhulan Shan-1, Manzali-1, Bhulan Shan-1, Chak 7 A-1 and Naimat Basal-1.
During the last year, a total of 48 applications for grant of exploration licences were proceeded.
According to sources, 15 bidding rounds were held in which 16 blocks were offered. As a result, 12 exploration licences covering an area of 19,795.28 sq kilometres were granted.
The petroleum exploration was confined to 56 exploration licences at the close of fiscal year ending June 30, 144,717.29 sq kilometres. During the period, around 27,955.92 sq kilometres area of six exploration licenses remained under force majeure. While an area of 27,813.16 sq kilometres covering eight exploration licences was surrendered by the different operators.