Pakistan is set to restart offshore oil and gas exploration after a gap of nearly two decades. A seismic survey vessel operated by Turkish Petroleum Offshore Company (TPOC) is expected to reach Karachi between November 17 and 20, 2026. Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik chaired a high-level meeting on Friday to review preparations for the ship's arrival.
Seismic surveys map the seabed for possible oil and gas before any drilling begins. The vessel's work is therefore an early stage of the search, not the stage at which fuel would reach consumers.
Preparations for the vessel
The meeting reviewed operational, logistical, maritime and security arrangements for the exploration campaign. Senior officials of the Petroleum Division attended, along with the director general of Petroleum Concessions and the managing directors of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL). Representatives of the foreign affairs, maritime affairs, defence and interior ministries, the Board of Investment, the National Hydrographic Office Pakistan and the Directorate General Ports and Shipping also took part.
Malik called the arrival a special milestone in Pakistan-Türkiye relations, particularly after the signing of the Mecca Agreement. He said he would try to receive the vessel personally when it reaches Karachi. “This is a special moment for Pakistan-Türkiye friendship,” he said. The Secretary Petroleum welcomed the development and stressed coordination among government departments and other stakeholders, while the TPOC project manager thanked Pakistani authorities for their cooperation.
Eight offshore blocks already awarded
The vessel's arrival follows a bid round that gave Pakistan Petroleum Limited rights to eight offshore blocks. In a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, the company said it had signed Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) and exploration licences for the blocks under the Pakistan Offshore Bid Round 2025. A PSA is a contract that sets how a company and the state share any output if oil or gas is found.
Two of the blocks, Gharo Creek and Kochi Creek, are operated by PPL. The company is also taking part in six partner-operated blocks: Bin Qasim South, Keti Bandar, Behr, Zarrar, Offshore Deep D and Sapat Bandar. Officials describe the survey as an early step toward finding more domestic resources and reducing dependence on imported fuel.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 13 November 2025: PPL announced the provisional award of the offshore blocks.
- 20 May 2026: PSAs and exploration licences were executed in the presence of the Federal Minister for Petroleum.
- 6 November 2026: Malik chaired a high-level meeting on Friday to review arrangements for the vessel.
- 17-20 November 2026: The TPOC seismic vessel is expected to arrive in Karachi.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan lagbhag do dahaiyon ke baad samundar mein tel aur gas ki talash dobara shuru kar raha hai. Turkish seismic jahaz 17 se 20 November ke darmiyan Karachi pahunchne ki ummeed hai. Hukumat ka kehna hai ke is ka maqsad mulk ke andar wasail dhoondna aur bahar se tel mangwane par inhisaar kam karna hai. Abhi yeh shuruaat hai, is liye qeematon par iska asar baad mein hi nazar aaye ga.
