The state-owned company Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has launched a project through which it intends to build an artificial island aimed at the exploration and extraction of oil and gas offshore in the Arabian Sea. It will be located in a remote but strategic area, 19 miles off the coast of the Sindh province, near the Sujawal district. The structure will be situated about six feet above sea level to prevent tides from interfering with the work. These 25 new drilling wells aim to meet the growing demand for oil, as well as expand Pakistan’s domestic production.
According to Arshad Palekar, PPL’s head of commercial R&D, the structure will be ready by February 2026, when it is expected to start operating. According to information published by Bloomberg, the United States’ interest in Pakistan’s oil reserves became public following statements by Donald Trump and the subsequent meeting last August between Pakistan’s Minister of Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, and the U.S. chargé d’affaires, Natalie A. Baker. Pakistan has granted new offshore exploration licenses to local companies, including Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), Mari Energies, and Prime International Oil and Gas Co.
Offshore drilling in Pakistan
With the aim of expanding its energy projects and market presence, Pakistan has launched a project intending to build an artificial island where offshore oil exploration and extraction in the Arabian Sea can take place away from its coasts. The company responsible for this initiative is Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), which has revealed that the platform will be located in a remote but strategic area, 19 miles off the coast of Sindh province, near the Sujawal district.
The structure will be situated about six feet above sea level, to avoid interference from tidal action. The project includes 25 new drilling wells, aimed at operating without interruptions from both tidal activity and the region’s storms, which usually halt platform operations. According to Ashrad Palekar, the head of commercial R&D at PPL, the structure is ready for February 2026, when it is also expected to start drilling.
United States interest
How can it be explained that this project is carried out just at the moment when the diplomatic commitment between Pakistan and the United States is at its best? The information published by the media outlet Bloomberg justifies the United States’ interest following President Trump’s statements about Pakistan’s oil reserves. This led to a meeting between Pakistan’s Minister of Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, and the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, Natalie A. Baker, last August, further justifying U.S. interest in Pakistani drilling.
Baker described the interest of American companies as “strong and growing,” in the mining, gas, and oil sectors of Pakistan. She referred to energy cooperation, as mentioned by President Trump, and added that it will be the role of the U.S. embassy to build direct links between American and Pakistani companies.
Companies participating in this project
Pakistan has granted offshore drilling rights to several local companies in order to accelerate the growth of the sector. Among these companies are:
- Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL).
- Mari Energies.
- Prime International Oil and Gas Co.