By Digital Spartans 
Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC) has reported a significant oil and gas discovery at its Baragzai X-01 (Slant) well in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The find, located within the Lockhart Limestone formation in District Kohat, marks a continuation of successful exploration efforts at the Nashpa block, supporting Pakistan’s drive to boost domestic energy production.
The Nashpa Exploration License, operated by OGDC with a 65% working interest, involves joint venture partners Pakistan Petroleum Limited holding a 30% stake and Government Holdings (Private) Limited with a 5% carried interest. The discovery was officially disclosed in a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange.
During a cased-hole drill stem test (DST-05) in the Lockhart formation, Baragzai X-01 (Slant) achieved impressive flow rates, producing 3,765 barrels of oil per day and 11.2 million standard cubic feet per day of gas through a 32/64-inch choke, with a wellhead flowing pressure of 4,080 psig.
The well was initially spudded on December 30, 2024, targeting multiple formations including Lockhart, Hangu, Lumshiwal, Samana Suk, Shinawari, Datta, and Kingriali. It reached a total depth of 5,170 meters into the Kingriali formation. Prior to the Lockhart test, four cased-hole drill stem tests across the Kingriali, Datta, Samana Suk, Shinawari, Hangu, and Lumshiwal formations had already yielded oil and gas, indicating a multi-zone hydrocarbon system.
This discovery is expected to expand OGDC’s reserve base substantially. Energy experts highlight that increasing domestic oil and gas output is critical for Pakistan, which faces a widening energy supply-demand gap and relies heavily on imports. Enhanced domestic production from multi-zone discoveries like Baragzai X-01 can contribute to energy security and help stabilize fuel prices.
By leveraging ongoing exploration success at the Nashpa block, OGDC continues to strengthen its position as a key player in Pakistan’s upstream energy sector. The Baragzai X-01 (Slant) well underscores the potential of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s hydrocarbon-rich formations and reflects the country’s broader efforts to boost local oil and gas production.