The News reported that Pakistan Petroleum Limited hosted a special session on Exploiting Shale Gas in Pakistan ahead of the SPE-PAPG Annual Technical Conference 2011.
The session, a first of its kind in the country, drew participation from the government representatives and the management and technical staff of the local and international Exploration and Production companies.
Mr Asim Murtaza Khan CEO of PPL highlighted the significance of the session in bringing shale gas exploration on the country’s E&P map and encouraging dialogue around the policy and fiscal framework necessary for a breakthrough in this direction. He hoped that the session would fuel further strategic interest and engagement by the international E&P community in exploiting shale gas resources in the country.
Mr Muhammad Ejaz Chaudhry Secretary Petroleum reiterated the government’s resolve to open new E&P opportunities in line with the global shift towards exploration of unconventional gas reservoirs and ensure an enabling business environment to attract international expertise and investment.
Mr Chaudhry said that the recommendation emerging from the session will be incorporated into the country’s E&P policy. The primary recommendation of the session is to develop a framework to incentivise and kick start pilot projects and pricing and fiscal terms under a separate regime.
Mr Chaudhry expressed his gratitude to the Government of Poland for its proactive role in strengthening bilateral ties with Pakistan, particularly with respect to the E&P sector, evident by the presence of Polish Ambassador Andrzeg Ananicz at the seminar. He also acknowledged the efforts of the Pakistan Embassy in Warsaw in this regard. Chaudhry lauded PPL’s efforts in serving as the conduit for drawing local and international attention to prospects for shale gas exploration in the country.
He said that it is initiatives such as these thorough which local E&P companies can serve as the eyes and ears of the ministry, helping us move forward with our ambitious agenda. Local and foreign delegates presented several papers during a dedicated segment of the session chaired by Mr Peter Seitinger GM of OMV Pakistan Exploration Gmbh.
A roundtable was also held on the Technical, Commercial and Fiscal Strategies to Promote Shale Gas Exploitation in Pakistan with Mr Paolo Giraudi MD of Eni Pakistan Limited in the chair.
At the close of the conference, Mr Khan thanked the government for its efforts in facilitating the session and the chairs and foreign delegates for sharing their expertise with the local audience. He also expressed his gratitude to Polish Ambassador Dr. Ananicz for being present at the session and adding that he looked forward to enhancing business linkages between Pakistan and Poland through PGNiG, a PPL joint venture partner in exploiting unconventional reserves in Pakistan.
(Sourced from www.thenews.com.pk)
