ISLAMABAD – Web Desk: Pakistan has restarted offshore oil and gas exploration after nearly two decades, with the signing of production sharing agreements and exploration licenses under the Offshore Bid Round 2025.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik attended the signing ceremony. According to the agreements, Phase One of the initial three-year license period will see an investment of $82 million. If progress is made to drilling in Phase Two, total investment is expected to reach approximately one billion dollars.
Blocks have been allocated in the Indus and Makran offshore basins adjacent to the coastal boundaries of Sindh and Balochistan. Under Offshore Bid Round 2025, 23 blocks covering an area of 54,600 square kilometers were approved. Agreements for two blocks – Offshore Deep-C and Offshore Deep-F – were finalized at the Prime Minister’s House on December 2, 2025. With the signing of 21 additional production sharing agreements today, the contractual framework for Offshore Bid Round 2025 has been completed.
Minister Ali Pervez Malik stated that signing these offshore exploration agreements is a historic milestone in the government’s energy policy. “The government is committed to reviving offshore exploration, promoting investment, and reducing dependence on imported fuels. These agreements reflect investor confidence in Pakistan’s offshore oil and gas potential.”
Mari Energies secured 18 blocks as operator and five blocks as a joint venture partner. OGDC and PPL were allocated eight exploration blocks, including two as operator. Prime Global Energy was allocated one block as operator. Phase One will include seismic data collection, processing, and geological and geophysical studies. If results are positive, Phase Two will involve drilling exploration wells for oil and gas in the sea.
