Pakistan and Türkiye are set to revive offshore oil and gas exploration after nearly two decades, with a Turkish seismic survey vessel expected to arrive in Karachi between November 17 and 20. The development was announced in Islamabad on Friday, November 6, after a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik to review preparations for the vessel’s arrival and the start of the exploration campaign.
What happened?
A seismic vessel operated by the Turkish Petroleum Offshore Company (TPOC) will arrive in Karachi between November 17 and 20, 2026, to begin offshore survey work. The vessel’s arrival marks the revival of Pakistan’s offshore exploration, which has remained suspended for nearly two decades. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik chaired a meeting in Islamabad on Friday to review operational, logistical, maritime and security arrangements for the vessel and the launch of the campaign. “This is a special moment for Pakistan-Türkiye friendship. I will try to personally receive the vessel upon its arrival in Karachi,” the minister said, describing the arrival as a milestone in bilateral energy cooperation.
Key details
- The vessel is operated by TPOC and will carry out seismic surveys to map the geology beneath the seabed off Pakistan’s coast.
- The meeting was attended by the secretary petroleum, senior Petroleum Division officials, TPOC’s project manager, and the managing directors of OGDCL, Pakistan Petroleum Ltd. and Government Holdings (Private) Ltd.
- Representatives of the ministries of foreign affairs, maritime affairs, defence and interior also took part, along with the National Hydrographic Office, the Board of Investment and the Directorate General Ports and Shipping.
- Pakistan reopened its offshore frontier earlier this year, awarding 23 offshore blocks in the Indus and Makran basins.
- A seismic survey maps what lies beneath the seabed; it does not by itself confirm oil or gas that can be produced commercially, and further drilling would be needed before any discovery is confirmed.
What it means for people in Pakistan
Pakistan imports most of the oil and gas it uses, so any domestic discovery could eventually ease pressure on fuel imports and foreign exchange. But that is a long way off: this first step is only a survey, and it will take months of data work — and then drilling — before anyone knows whether there is anything worth producing. For now, the practical effect is a new phase of energy cooperation with Türkiye and fresh activity for Pakistan’s offshore sector after a long pause.
