By an OGJ Correspondent
KARACHI, Sept. 9 -- A consortium led by operator Shell Development & Offshore Pakistan BV plans to invest more than $40 million to drill an exploratory well in Block 2365-1 on the Indus E deepwater oil exploration license off Pakistan. The license area is in the Indus basin 150 km south of Karachi.
Shell will drill the well by the next weather window, according to Premier Oil Pakistan Offshore BV. Shell holds a 47.5% interest in the license and Premier, 23.75%. Other partners are Islamabad-based Kufpec Pakistan BV, 23.75%, and Government Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd., 5%.
Premier Oil's Chief Executive Simon Lockett said the Shell group's extensive 3D seismic survey helped delineate a number of prospects on the block (OGJ Online, Oct. 4, 2004). Shell has invested $12-15 million in the project.
Lockett and Director of Operations Neil Hawkins met with Pakistan Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Amanullah Khan Jadoon at Islamabad in August to discuss oil and gas opportunities in Pakistan.
