PPL’s enhancement technique increases gas production in Pakistan

With many of its producing fields maturing and on a natural decline, Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has identified and executed a production enhancement opportunity in Sui gas field through revamping of SML compressors, resulting in production increase.

The execution of this opportunity has manifested in a production gain of 19 mmscfd (million standard cubic feet per day).

This revamping project, which addressed the declining wellhead pressure, was initiated in March last year and completed this June. Under the project, all seven SML compressors were successfully revamped by operating at a lower inlet pressure to sustain production from Sui gas field.

The Sui gas field is considered to be the largest natural gas field in Pakistan with 1.6 trillion cubic feet reserve estimates as of 2017. In 2007, the Sui gas field accounted for 17% of Pakistan's total gas production. Now, it contributes less than 10%.

According to GlobalData, Sui’s gas production in 2023 clocked in at 322 mmscfd.

Petroleum division’s projections reveal SNGPL will face gas depletion of 530 mmscfd in 2023-24, 427 mmscfd in 2024-25, and 347 mmscfd in 2025-26, with average depletion per annum of 16%.

Similarly, SSGCL — one of the two gas utility companies in Pakistan — will face gas depletion of 853 mmscfd in 2023-24, 840 mmscfd in 2024-25, and 798 mmscfd in 2025-26, with average depletion per annum of 5%.

This additional and cost-effective indigenous hydrocarbon production by PPL will contribute in bridging the energy demand and supply gap and save significant foreign exchange.