Pakistan Oil and Gas Reserves 2026: New Discoveries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
In a significant move to bolster energy security, the Pakistan oil and gas reserves 2026 landscape has been strengthened by a series of new discoveries in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). On Friday, February 20, 2026, the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) announced another successful test at the Baragzai X-01 exploratory well, marking the fourth major find in the region this year alone.
The Baragzai X-01 Milestone
The latest discovery was made in the Lumshiwal Formation within the Nashpa Block of Kohat district. During the Cased Hole Drill Stem Test (CHDST-04), the well produced 225 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) and 1.01 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of gas.
This specific well, which was spudded in late 2024 and drilled to a staggering depth of 5,170 meters, has proven to be a multi-zone success. Earlier tests in the Kingriali and Datta formations also yielded positive results, including a massive flow of 4,100 BOPD and 10.5 MMSCFD reported just last month.
| Formation | Oil Production (BOPD) | Gas Production (MMSCFD) |
| Datta (Jan 2026) | 4,100 | 10.5 |
| Samana Suk (Jan 2026) | 3,100 | 8.15 |
| Lumshiwal (Feb 2026) | 225 | 1.01 |
Impact on the National Economy
The Pakistan oil and gas reserves 2026 push comes at a critical time for the national economy. Pakistan’s petroleum import bill fell by roughly 4.39% to $9.046 billion during the July–January period of the current fiscal year (FY26). By enhancing indigenous production, the government aims to further reduce the reliance on expensive foreign fuel and stabilize the circular debt in the energy sector.
Joint Venture and Future Exploration
The Nashpa Exploration License consists of:
OGDCL: 65% working interest
Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL): 30% working interest
Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL): 5% carried interest
Beyond traditional drilling, OGDCL has announced plans to accelerate shale and tight gas exploration throughout 2026–27. This strategy is part of a broader federal mandate to close the supply-demand gap. With Khyber Pakhtunkhwa already contributing 41% of the nation’s crude oil, these recurring discoveries in the Kohat and Nashpa blocks solidify the province as the backbone of Pakistan’s energy future.
