Islamabad, Pakistan — In a landmark move to revive domestic energy exploration, Pakistan has successfully awarded 23 offshore blocks for oil and gas exploration — marking the country’s first major offshore bidding round in two decades.
The awarded blocks span a vast area of 53,510 square kilometers in Pakistan’s maritime territory, signaling renewed momentum in the upstream energy sector. The bidding round attracted strong interest from both domestic and international companies, reflecting growing investor confidence in Pakistan’s offshore potential.
According to government officials, the initial phase of exploration is expected to generate $80 million in investment, with projections reaching up to $1 billion during the drilling phase. The blocks are located in the Indus and Makran basins, where a dual-basin exploration strategy has proven successful.
“This is a significant breakthrough for Pakistan’s energy security,” said a senior official from the Petroleum Division. “The simultaneous focus on both Indus and Makran basins demonstrates our commitment to unlocking offshore resources and attracting global investment.”
The successful bidders include:
- Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL)
- Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL)
- Mari Petroleum
- Prime Energy
- Turkiye Petrolleri
- United Energy
- Orient Petroleum
- Fatima Petroleum
The Offshore Bid Round 2025 was launched earlier this year with updated Offshore Petroleum Rules and a new Model Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA), aimed at creating a transparent and investor-friendly framework. - Energy analysts view the development as a strategic pivot for Pakistan, which has long relied on imported fuels to meet domestic demand. The success of this bid round could pave the way for deeper offshore exploration and long-term energy sustainability.
