OMV discovers gas and condensate at Mehar block in Sindh Province, Pakistan

OMV (Pakistan) Exploration has discovered gas and condensate at the Sofiya-2 exploration well in the Mehar exploration license of Sindh Province.

The company has produced around 18 million standard cubic feet a day of gas and an additional 1,550 barrels of condensate from the Ranikot formation through a 48/64in choke.

The new production from the exploration licence will be used in the Mehar gas and condensate plant for processing.

The development of Mehar field is in the completion stage, and production is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2013.

OMV Maurice Energy has a 75% interest in the exploration licence, while other joint venture partners such as Government Holding (GHPL) and Zaver Petroleum hold 5%, and Ocean Pakistan own a 15% stake.

OMV executive member Jaap Huijskes said that the latest development will allow the company to utilise the Mehar gas plant for processing of Sofiya gas and condensate, which will provide cost-effective and accelerated development.

"This discovery adds value to the Petronas acquisition in 2011, which is an important part of our growth strategy in Pakistan," Huijskes added.

OMV Pakistan has made its first gas discovery at Miano in the Sukkur District of eastern Sindh province in 1993, and currently holds an interest in eight exploration blocks in Pakistan.

Parent company OMV Aktiengesellschaft carries out operations in two core countries, Romania and Austria. It had proven oil and gas reserves of around 1.12 billion in 2012.