A gas pocket has been found during the excavation of a test well in Karachi’s Korangi Creek area, Express News reported. TPL Properties, a real estate developer, announced the discovery and confirmed the development of a message sent to Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Thursday.
According to the message, the initial technical assessments, along with independent views from industrial experts, suggest that the gas may be biogenic methane, a gas typically formed from the degradation of organic matter.
The company clarified that this discovery is not part of any known natural gas reserves in the region. TPL properties also noted that, given the area’s nature, it is likely that the gas pocket will naturally spread over time, especially if it is left to burn.
The company also stated that the test is part of a comprehensive study conducted in collaboration with recognized national and international consulting firms.
The study includes geotechnical assessments, soil composition and pollution testing, electrical resistivity studies (s), a comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) and other baseline studies.
A Chinese study published by 2020 also identified the presence of gas and coal reserves in the Korangi Creek area, which revealed that the area has three layers of cliffs where gas reserves can be found.
These cliffs, known as myosin, are 20-25 million years old and contain underground sweet water reserves and gas deposits. Under the myosin clip layer are Paleocene and Eocene Rocks.
The older the cliffs are, the more carbon hydrocarbon they contain. Drilling data from Korangi Creek and the Indus Delta revealed a high percentage of the total organic material (TOC) ranging from 3 to 3.5%, with a kerogenic type III, indicating the promising option of methane reserves and coal seams.
A Chinese research group’s four-year study of the Indus Delta found that oil and gas research activities near Karachi’s coast did not succeed due to the absence of structural traps that are rocks that prevent hydrocarbons from rising.
The message comes after a massive fire broke out early Saturday morning near an oil refinery in Karachi’s Korangi area, which has now raged for over five days.
The incident that took place late at night on March 28 caused TPL properties to take immediate steps to control the situation. The company assured stakeholders that all necessary measures have been taken and that relevant parties have been informed.
