A consortium of companies has discovered a new gas reserve in southern Sindh province that would help reduce gas shortages in Pakistan, officials said today.
Italian energy major ENI, Pakistan Petroleum Limited and Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company are partners in the consortium that made the discovery in Kirthar Fold Belt region, 270 km from Karachi, the capital of Sindh.
"During the production testing, gas flowed at 33 million cubic feet per day, highlighting an excellent potential for the future for energy needs of the country," the Petroleum Ministry said in a statement.
Officials said under a production scheme, gas supply from the reserve would be possible within three years.
Petroleum Minister Sohail Wajahat Siddiqui said the discovery was "good news" for the energy sector.
The discovery of new oil and gas reservoirs are vital for coping with energy shortages, Siddiqui said.
ENI has been in Pakistan since 2000 and is the country's largest producer.
