Islamabad: In a pivotal move to enhance energy cooperation, Pakistan’s Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and China’s CCDC, a leading drilling and upstream oilfield services provider, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the 8th Silk Road International Expo in Xian, Shaanxi province, China. This agreement marks a significant step towards exploiting Pakistan’s shale and tight gas resources to meet the country’s growing energy needs using indigenous resources.

According to Press Information Department, the MOU was signed by Mr. Mumtaz Ali Soomro, Executive Director (Production) of OGDCL, and Mr. Zhang Zhidong, Vice President of CNPC Chuanging Drilling Engineering Company LTD. The ceremony was witnessed by Dr. Musadik Malik, Federal Minister for Energy (Petroleum Division), and Mr. Khalil Hashmi, Ambassador of Pakistan to China. The partnership underlines the strong bilateral commitment to energy development between the two nations.

Dr. Malik expressed gratitude for China’s hospitality and highlighted the MOU as a cornerstone for future collaboration in the energy sector, anticipating that it would strengthen ties and enhance mutual benefits. The initiative to develop shale and tight gas is expected to unlock significant untapped energy potential within Pakistan, promising a new era of energy sufficiency facilitated by advanced technology and international cooperation.