Reposted from Gulf Times | August 28, 2012 | Link to story

The Pakistan government is considering starting exploration and development work in Kohlu in troubled Balochistan province, where preliminary estimates put natural gas reserves at more than 22 trillion cubic feet (tcf). Pakistan currently has total proven reserves of about 27tcf. "Balochistan's security situation has been forcing the state-run Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDCL) to stay away from the Kohlu-Bugti area despite having a licence," an official said. "It has the potential to solve most of Pakistan's energy problems but would require six to nine years to bear fruit provided ground work starts now," an official said.