Pakistan is preparing to restart offshore oil and gas exploration activities after nearly two decades, marking a significant development in the country’s energy sector. A seismic survey vessel operated by a Turkish petroleum company is expected to arrive in Karachi between November 17 and 20, 2026. Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik has described the initiative as an important milestone in Pakistan-Türkiye energy cooperation.
Pakistan is moving closer to resuming offshore oil and gas exploration activities after approximately 20 years, raising hopes for new opportunities in the country’s energy sector.
According to media reports, a specialized seismic survey vessel belonging to a Turkish petroleum company is scheduled to arrive in Karachi between November 17 and 20, 2026.
The arrival of the vessel is expected to pave the way for renewed exploration activities in Pakistan’s offshore waters, where geological surveys will help identify areas that may contain oil and natural gas reserves.
The development is being viewed as an important step toward exploring Pakistan’s domestic energy resources and strengthening cooperation with Türkiye.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik chaired a high-level meeting to review preparations for the arrival of the Turkish vessel.
During the meeting, officials discussed maritime security, operational arrangements, logistical requirements, and coordination between the relevant departments.
The minister directed all concerned institutions to maintain close communication and ensure that necessary arrangements are completed before the vessel reaches Karachi.
He emphasized that effective coordination would be essential for the smooth arrival of the vessel and the successful commencement of offshore exploration activities.
Ali Pervaiz Malik also indicated that he intends to personally welcome the Turkish survey vessel upon its arrival in Pakistan.
The federal minister described the initiative as a major milestone in the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Türkiye.
He said the project represents an important development following the Makkah agreement and reflects the growing cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector.
The minister assured the Turkish petroleum company that Pakistan would provide full support for offshore oil and gas exploration operations.
He also expressed optimism about the long-term importance of the initiative, describing it as a historic achievement that could be remembered for generations.
During the meeting, the project manager of the Turkish petroleum company thanked Pakistani authorities for their cooperation and assistance in preparing for the operation.
Officials from the relevant institutions were instructed to remain in close contact regarding the vessel’s arrival and subsequent exploration activities.
The seismic survey vessel will play an important role in collecting geological information from beneath the seabed.
Seismic surveys are commonly used in oil and gas exploration to study underground rock formations and identify structures that may contain hydrocarbon deposits.
The technology works by sending controlled sound waves beneath the seabed and recording the signals reflected by different geological layers.
Specialized equipment collects this information, allowing geologists and petroleum experts to develop images and models of underground formations.
These models help exploration companies identify potential locations for future drilling operations.
However, a seismic survey does not confirm the presence of commercially recoverable oil or gas reserves.
It is an important preliminary stage that helps determine whether further exploration and drilling activities may be justified.
If the survey identifies promising geological structures, additional technical studies and exploratory drilling may be required to establish whether oil or natural gas is actually present.
Even after a discovery, companies must evaluate the size of the reserves, extraction costs, technical challenges, and commercial feasibility before production can begin.
For Pakistan, offshore exploration is particularly important because the country relies heavily on imported energy resources.
Pakistan spends substantial amounts of foreign exchange on petroleum products, crude oil, and other imported fuels to meet domestic energy demand.
The country’s dependence on imported energy has placed pressure on its foreign exchange reserves and broader economic stability.
Exploring domestic oil and gas resources could potentially help reduce this dependence in the long term.
If commercially viable reserves are discovered, local production could improve energy security, create investment opportunities, and support economic activity.
Domestic energy production may also help reduce exposure to fluctuations in international oil and gas prices.
However, these potential benefits would depend on successful exploration, confirmed reserves, and the economic viability of future production.
Pakistan has previously undertaken offshore oil and gas exploration activities, but such operations are technically complex and require significant financial investment.
Unlike onshore exploration, offshore projects involve specialized vessels, advanced drilling equipment, maritime logistics, and extensive safety measures.
Exploration activities can also be affected by weather conditions, water depth, geological complexity, and the cost of operating in marine environments.
For these reasons, offshore oil and gas projects often require several years of surveys, exploration, evaluation, and development before commercial production becomes possible.
The involvement of a Turkish petroleum company could provide Pakistan with access to specialized technology and technical expertise in offshore exploration.
Türkiye has expanded its energy exploration capabilities in recent years, including the use of seismic survey and drilling vessels.
Cooperation with Turkish energy institutions may create opportunities for technical knowledge-sharing and stronger institutional partnerships.
Pakistan and Türkiye already maintain close diplomatic, economic, and defence relations.
The two countries have worked together in several sectors, and the latest energy initiative reflects their interest in expanding bilateral cooperation.
The planned arrival of the seismic survey vessel is therefore significant not only for Pakistan’s energy sector but also for its economic relationship with Türkiye.
The project could encourage further cooperation in geological research, offshore exploration, and energy-related technical activities.
Nevertheless, the government has not announced any confirmed new offshore oil or gas discovery as part of this initiative.
The information released so far concerns preparations for exploration rather than the discovery or production of hydrocarbons.
Similarly, no confirmed timetable has been provided for the completion of the seismic survey, exploratory drilling, or possible commercial production.
The immediate priority remains ensuring that the Turkish vessel reaches Karachi safely and that the necessary arrangements are in place for offshore operations.
Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik has directed the relevant authorities to facilitate the Turkish team and maintain coordination throughout the process.
The expected arrival of the vessel between November 17 and 20 will be an important initial step in the renewed exploration effort.
Once survey activities begin, the collected geological data may provide valuable information about the potential of Pakistan’s offshore areas.
If the findings are encouraging, they could support decisions regarding future exploration investments and possible drilling operations.
However, it would be premature to suggest that Pakistan has already discovered major offshore oil and gas reserves or that the initiative will immediately resolve the country’s energy challenges.
The project remains at the exploration stage, and its ultimate success will depend on scientific findings, technical assessments, and future investment decisions.
For now, the planned resumption of offshore exploration after nearly two decades represents a notable development in Pakistan’s efforts to better understand and potentially utilize its domestic energy resources.
The initiative also highlights the growing importance of Pakistan-Türkiye cooperation in the energy sector.
With the Turkish seismic survey vessel expected to reach Karachi later this month, attention will now turn to the commencement of offshore operations and the results of the planned geological surveys.
The coming stages will help determine whether Pakistan’s offshore waters offer commercially promising opportunities for future oil and gas exploration.