FATA, FR regions abundant in oil, gas

[Toramana]

PESHAWAR:
The Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and Frontier Regions (FR) have enormous reserves of minerals, oil and natural gas that can augment economic activity in the war-torn areas, a research project concluded.
Talking to The Express Tribune ‘Source Rock Mapping and Investigation of Hydrocarbon Potential (SRMIHP)’ Project Coordinator Dr Fazal Rabi Khan said that exploration and excavation of oil and gas will introduce a new era of development and prosperity in the tribal areas.
“There can be many job opportunities created for people in the tribal belt if mineral exploration and extraction is pursued properly,” said Khan, who is also the chairman of the Geology Department in Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan (Palosa Campus).
The project was launched in 2008 under an agreement between the Fata Development Authority and National Centre of Excellence in Geology University of Peshawar. The project, which was completed at an estimated cost Rs40 million, was completed in June 2012.
Khan said that their objectives include identifying hydrocarbon generating rocks and its distribution in the region, preparing a geo-database regarding hydrocarbon potential and generating a systematic data to attract oil and gas companies for exploration.



The project has successfully collected, processed and digitised the data as a result of which, 80% of the project area has been mapped digitally. “This mapping has led to the discovery of seven new oil and gas seepages.”
He added that 11 oil and gas exploration companies have reserved 16 blocks in Fata, which go across from FR Peshawar and Kohat to Khyber, Orakzai, Bannu, Tank and up to North and South Waziristan.

He said that recently 17 oil and gas exploration companies initiated their operations in Khyber, Orakzai, North and South Waziristan agencies as well as in FR Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu, Tank and DI Khan.
Khan said that Mari Gas Company, HYCARBEX Inc, Oil and Gas Development Company, Tullow, Saif Energy, MOL Pakistan Oil and Gas, Orient Petroleum International, Pakistan Petroleum, ZHEN, ZAVER and others are currently working in Fata.
Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC) will start drilling in these areas for the exploration of oil and gas reservoirs. The chairman said that the foreign oil company, Tullow, has obtained a licence for the exploration of oil and gas in North Waziristan Agency and Bannu, while MOL has shown interest in Khyber Agency, Kohat and Peshawar.
“Although law and order problems can become a hindrance, the project can be managed considering its importance,” he added.
Khan elaborated that the process in Fata would not only help overcome the energy crisis but will also give a big boost to efforts for the socio-economic development of the region. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is teeming with minerals and Fata is a new oil estate, he said. “In the next five years, this province will produce more oil than Dubai and as far as shortage of gas is concerned, the hills of FR Tank are full of it.”
He said Governor Masood Kausar has also taken keen interest in the project. “The best news for the tribal areas is that there are large reserves of natural resources and foreign and local companies interested in its extraction can exploit the resources,” said Kausar.

FATA, FR regions abundant in oil, gas, says report – The Express Tribune

[Toramana]

PESHAWAR, May 17: Governor Barrister Masood Kausar has said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Fata are rich in mineral resources, which needed to be tapped to benefit the people.

He maintained that mineral resources ranging from marble and other semi-precious stones to gold and oil and gas reserves were abundant in the province and the Fata.

Addressing as the chief guest a conference on mineral sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata, organised by Regional Institute for Mineral Development, an NGO, here on Thursday, the governor said, “Focus on purposeful development of manpower coupled with encouraging potential investors was indeed the need of the hour for efficient exploitation of the abundantly available resources.”

Provincial Minister for Mines and Minerals and Industries Nawabzada Mahamood Zeb Khan, MPA Malik Tehmash Khan and a renowned geologist and former vice-chancellor of the University of Peshawar Prof Ghulam Jan Khan Tahir Kheli were also present. Besides researchers, scholars, senior government officials of the mines and mineral departments of the province and Fata attended the conference. Chairman of the institute Ghulam Mustafa Bughio highlighted the working and achievements of the organisation.

Appreciating the holding of the moot, the governor said, “There is also need to promote market oriented education and skill development on scientific lines in this particular field, and forums like this moot are the effective means to discuss and guide the policymakers to make this possible.” Similarly, he said the overseas Pakistanis especially those working in the Middle East could
also prove the result-oriented investors.

The governor while referring to his recent visits abroad said, “I myself have contacted many Pakistanis who have the earnest desire to contribute for development of the motherland by investing their earnings in workable fields.”

Mr Kausar maintained: “There is also need to establish mineral trading yards to encourage businessmen from rest of the country and involve them in mineral trade.”

He said work on a couple of marble cities in the province and Fata was also in progress. In Fata, he said, serious efforts are under way to promote private investment and for making this possible certain laws had already been amended.

Governor for tapping KP, Fata mineral resources | Newspaper | DAWN.COM