TPAO will search for oil and natural gas in the seas of Pakistan
Türkiye has taken a new step towards the exploration of oil and natural gas abroad. While the Oruç Chief Seismic Research Ship continued its activities in the Somali seas, a new cooperation was made with Pakistan this time. Türkiye Petrolleri and Pakistan's 3 national oil companies will make a joint bid for Pakistan's tender for 40 sea blocs.
A ceremony was held in the capital Islamabad due to the joint bidding agreement. Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, who attended the ceremony, said, "This step will deepen the strategic energy partnership between Türkiye and Pakistan and will also be an important threshold in terms of regional energy security."
Ministers Spoke at the Session
Minister Bayraktar first participated in the Pakistan Mining Investment Forum within the scope of the Islamabad program. Minister Bayraktar, who made a speech at the ministerial session, stated that Türkiye has a rich mineral diversity and mentioned that they have developed comprehensive strategies focusing on the entire value chain in mining.
Reform Package
Minister Bayraktar stated that they focus on value-added mining and that environmentally sensitive, safe and local participation studies are important in order to attract investment in mining. Stating that they are working on a reform package to increase mining investments in Türkiye, Bayraktar emphasized that with the implementation of these regulations, which shorten and facilitate the permit processes, the way of new investments will be opened.
Meeting with Ministers
After the forum, Minister Bayraktar, Pakistan's Minister of Oil Ali Pervaiz Malik and the Minister of Energy in Charge of Electricity Sardar Awaiz Ahmad Khan Leghari held separate meetings.
Joint Proposal Agreement
Within the scope of the forum, a Joint Bidding Agreement was signed between Turkish Petroleum and Pakistan's national oil companies Mari Energies, OGDCL and PPL. Minister Bayraktar, who attended the signing ceremony, said, "This step will deepen the strategic energy partnership between Türkiye and Pakistan and will also be an important threshold for regional energy security. I wish the agreement to be beneficial for the two countries in advance," he said.
40 Block Tender
On June 30, 2025, Pakistan will bid for a total of 40 sea exploration blocks, 14 of which are in the Makran offshore basin and 26 in the Indus offshore basin. According to the agreement, 4 companies, one Turkish and the other three Pakistani, will make a joint offer to the blocks they agree.
Meeting with Şahbaz Şerif
Minister Bayraktar was received by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Şahbaz Şerif within the scope of the Islamabad program. In the meeting, the energy relations between Türkiye and Pakistan were discussed. Bayraktar also met with Pakistan Land Forces Commander Asım Münir.