Pakistan’s energy landscape has received a significant boost as the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited officially announced a fresh gas discovery in the Khairpur district of Sindh. The breakthrough occurred at the Sahito 1 exploratory well, situated within the strategically important Khewari Exploration Licence area. This discovery is a testament to the country’s ongoing efforts to tap into domestic hydrocarbon reserves to bridge the energy supply gap. According to the company, initial testing has shown promising results, indicating that the well could play a vital role in augmenting the national gas grid once it is fully integrated into the production system.
Technical data released by OGDCL reveals that the well yielded an impressive 17.2 million standard cubic feet per day of gas. This flow was tapped from the Massive Sand interval of the Lower Goru Formation during Drill Stem Testing, which was conducted following a detailed wireline log analysis. The reservoir conditions appear highly favorable, as the well registered a robust wellhead flowing pressure of 3,390 pounds per square inch at a choke size of 32/64 inches. Such high pressure levels suggest a healthy and sustainable flow rate, which is a critical factor for the long term commercial viability of any new energy find.
The journey to this discovery began on December 24, 2025, when the Sahito 1 well was first spudded. Utilizing its own in house technical and operational resources, OGDCL drilled to a total depth of 3,870 metres True Vertical Depth, eventually reaching the Sembar Formation. The successful completion of this project using domestic expertise highlights the growing technical maturity of Pakistan’s leading exploration and production company. By relying on internal capabilities rather than international contractors, the firm has demonstrated its ability to execute complex drilling operations efficiently and cost effectively.
From a corporate and financial perspective, the project operates under a joint venture arrangement that solidifies the state’s role in resource management. OGDCL holds a dominant 95 percent working interest in the well, acting as the primary operator and investor. The remaining five percent share is maintained by Government Holdings Private Limited. This partnership ensures that the bulk of the revenue and resource benefits from the Sahito 1 discovery remain within the public sector, directly contributing to the national exchequer and supporting future exploration initiatives across the country.
This discovery comes at a pivotal time for Pakistan as it seeks to reduce its reliance on expensive liquefied natural gas imports and transition toward a more self reliant energy model. The Lower Goru Formation in Sindh has historically been a prolific source of hydrocarbons, and the Sahito 1 find reaffirms the region’s potential for further exploration. As the company moves toward the development phase, the focus will shift to infrastructure connectivity to ensure that these 17.2 MMSCFD reach industrial and domestic consumers as quickly as possible. This success is expected to bolster investor confidence in the Pakistani oil and gas sector, particularly within the Sindh province.
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