ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Türkiye have taken a major step towards deepening bilateral energy cooperation as Türkiye’s state-owned energy company, Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), prepares to launch offshore and onshore oil and gas exploration operations in Pakistan this year.
The development was discussed during a meeting on the energy sector, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Tuesday, where officials reviewed the progress on the landmark collaboration.
As part of the initial phase, advanced seismic survey vessels are expected to arrive in Pakistani waters between September and October to begin data acquisition for offshore exploration. The surveys will help identify potential hydrocarbon reserves and determine future drilling locations. TPAO is also establishing its regional office in Islamabad as it ramps up operations in Pakistan. The company has secured interests in five exploration blocks—three offshore and two onshore—and serves as the operator of the Eastern Offshore Indus Block-C, marking its formal entry into Pakistan’s upstream oil and gas sector.
The Turkish company is working in partnership with six leading Pakistani exploration and production firms, including Mari Energies, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL), Prime Pakistan, and Fatima Petroleum.
The Eastern Offshore Indus Block-C is the flagship project under the partnership, with TPAO holding a 25 per cent working interest and operatorship. PPL retains a 35 per cent stake, while OGDCL and Mari Energies each hold 20 per cent. In addition, TPAO has joined the Offshore Deep-F and Offshore Deep-C blocks alongside Mari Energies and Fatima Petroleum. Onshore, the company has partnered in the Sukhpur-II and Ziarat North exploration blocks with Prime Pakistan, Mari Energies, OGDCL, PPL, and GHPL.
Officials estimate that the exploration programme could attract around US$300 million in investment over the coming years, significantly strengthening Pakistan’s upstream energy sector and bringing advanced offshore exploration expertise to the country.
