Halini Field: How Official Records Reveal a Longer and Stronger Production Future Than Initially Expected

ISLAMABAD: (By Special Correspondent) Pakistan’s upstream petroleum sector rarely attracts public attention unless a major discovery is announced.

However, a review of official records submitted by Mari Energies Limited (previously known as Mari Petroleum Company Limited) to the Directorate General Petroleum Concessions (DGPC) reveals an interesting story: the Halini Field in Karak Block appears to have consistently outperformed conservative production assumptions made in earlier development plans.

The Halini discovery was made in 2011 in Block 3271-1 (Karak). Following appraisal work, Mari submitted an application for D&P Lease & Field Development Plan over the Halini Discovery in 2018 together with detail field development plan, Reservoirs Evaluation Report and an independent reserve certification Report conducted by IPR International Ltd., USA in 2014.

The D&P Lease was subsequently granted for an initial term of eleven years with effect from 11 November 2016. Mari held a 60% working interest as Operator, while MOL retained a 40% participating interest.

Under the terms of the lease (document available with the reporter), renewal remains subject to the continuation of commercial production at the time of expiry. Consequently, long-term reservoir performance and projected field life remain important considerations in evaluating the future of the asset.

The independent reservoir evaluation conducted by IPR International in 2014 projected productive field life extending approximately to 2034.

The study incorporated geological interpretation, reservoir engineering analysis, decline curve modelling, material balance studies, and dynamic reservoir simulation.

Importantly, the assessment evaluated the impact of gas-lift technology on field recovery and concluded that enhanced recovery techniques could materially improve ultimate reserves and extend productive field life.

Subsequent reservoir studies undertaken by Mari further reinforced this outlook. The Company’s 2018 Reservoir Evaluation Report presented the following reserve estimates:

Reported production figures available through subsequent regulatory disclosures indicate that Halini continued producing approximately 0.7 MMSCFD during the 2025-2026 period.

This level of production appears broadly consistent with the higher reserve scenarios outlined in the 2018 reservoir evaluation rather than the more conservative assumptions reflected in earlier development planning cases.

A particularly noteworthy development occurred in September 2025 when Mari Energies submitted a long-term oil and gas production forecast to DGPC.

According to the submission, committed production from Halini was projected to continue through 2044-45. This projection represents a significant extension beyond the timelines associated with the more conservative reserve cases and may become an important consideration in the future renewal of the D&P Lease.

Viewed collectively, the 2014 independent reserve certification, the 2018 reservoir evaluation, subsequent production performance, and the 2025 long-term production forecast present a consistent picture of a field that has performed at or above earlier expectations.

While reserve estimates are inherently subject to uncertainty and future reservoir behaviour can never be predicted with complete certainty, the available evidence suggests that Halini’s productive life may be materially longer than what could have been inferred from the most conservative development assumptions.

The Halini Field illustrates a broader lesson in petroleum development. Initial development plans and reserve cases often adopt conservative assumptions for planning and regulatory purposes.

As production history accumulates and reservoir behaviour becomes better understood, improved recovery strategies and operational experience can unlock additional value and extend field life beyond original expectations.

Current regulatory records indicate that Halini has the potential to remain a meaningful contributor to Pakistan’s domestic energy supply well into the 2040s, highlighting the importance of continuous reservoir management, enhanced recovery techniques, and periodic reassessment of field performance throughout the life of an asset.