ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Development Company Ltd (OGDCL) on Wednesday began commercial production from the highest-ever oil and gas discovery from a single well in the country’s history.

Baragzai X-01 (Slant) exploratory well in the Nashpa Block, Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtun­khwa, is now the highest-producing well and contributes approximately 10pc of OGDCL’s total crude oil production.

Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik formally inaugurated the commencement of commercial production in a ceremony that was also attended by Secretary Petroleum Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh, OGDCL Managing Director and CEO Ahmed Hayat Lak and representatives of other exploration and development and services companies.

After Wednesday’s injection of 5,300 barrels of oil per day (bps), 17 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) of gas, and 15 tonnes per day of liquefied petroleum gas, the cumulative production from the well has reached 15,000bpd and 45 mmscfd of gas.

Oil and gas production from the well is projected to reach 25,000 bpd and 60 mmcfd in the near future, the state-run energy firm announced.

In a significant operational achievement, an 8-kilometre pipeline was laid in record time, alongside critical modifications for gas processing and crude oil storage, and integration with Mela and Nashpa facilities.

The project is expected to generate substantial economic benefits.

The estimated daily revenue stands at Rs156 million, with monthly revenues projected at Rs4.7 billion and annual revenues at Rs57bn. The development will also result in annual foreign exchange savings of approximately $329m by reducing reliance on imported fuels, the company said.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2026