OMV: Discovery of gas and condensate in the Mehar block, Pakistan

August 29, 2013 - 10:00 am (CET)

• Sofiya-2 exploration well confirmed a discovery of gas and condensate in the Mehar block
• Additional production can be added to new Mehar gas plant

OMV, the integrated, international oil and gas company, announces the discovery of gas and condensate in the Sofiya-2 exploration well in the Mehar exploration license. The presence of hydrocarbons was proven through wireline logging and testing operations. During testing, a total of 18 mn scf/d of gas plus an additional 1,550 barrels of condensate (Gross 4500 boe/d) flowed from the Ranikot formation.

The Sofiya-2 exploration well is located in the Mehar exploration license in the Sindh Province of Pakistan, around 10 km north of the Mehar gas and condensate field. OMV Maurice Energy Limited holds a 75% share in the exploration license; joint venture partners are Government Holding Private Limited (GHPL, 5%), Ocean Pakistan Limited (15%), and Zaver Petroleum Company (5%).

Sofiya-2 tested a total of 18 mn scf/d of gas plus an additional 1,550 barrels of condensate (combined 4,500 boe/d gross) which flowed from the Ranikot formation through a 48/64” choke. Further appraisal work will be required to confirm the size of the discovery.

The new discovery’s proximity to the Mehar field provides the opportunity of using the Mehar gas and condensate plant for processing. The Mehar field development is in its mechanical completion phase; production start-up is expected in Q4/13.

Jaap Huijskes, OMV Executive Board Member responsible for Exploration and Production: "We are very pleased with this result. It provides the opportunity to utilize the Mehar gas plant for processing of Sofiya gas and condensate, which should enable cost-effective and accelerated development of this new discovery. This discovery adds value to the Petronas acquisition in 2011, which is an important part of our growth strategy in Pakistan."

OMV (Pakistan) Exploration GmbH
OMV (Pakistan) Exploration GmbH, a 100% owned subsidiary of OMV Aktiengesellschaft, started exploration activities in the Province of Sindh in 1991. The first significant gas discovery was made at Miano in the Sukkur District in eastern Sindh province in 1993, followed by the Sawan discovery in 1997. Further discoveries, Latif and Tajjal gas fields, were made in 2007.
In 2011, OMV Maurice Energy Limited acquired Petronas Carigali Pakistan Limited, which provided access to the additional fields (Mehar, Rehmat, Saqib) and exploration blocks. At present, the OMV holds an interest in eight exploration blocks in Pakistan.  OMV is known in Pakistan as a socially responsible company with the highest safety and ethical standards. The community development programs in its concession areas focus on education, health, and revenue generation.

For further information, please contact:

OMV Media Relations:
Johannes Vetter, Tel,: +43 1 40440 21357, e-Mail: johannes.vetter@omv.com 
Robert Lechner, Tel.: +43 1 40440 21472, e-Mail: robert.lechner@omv.com 
 
OMV Investor Relations:
Lăcrămioara Diaconu-Pinţea, Tel.: +43 1 40 440-21600, e-Mail: investor.relations@omv.com 
 
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