The UK's Lasmo says it has discovered a new gas field in Western Sind. The announcement follows speculation in March that drilling at the Bhit- 2 well in the Kithar concession had been successful. Lasmo said that exploration activities have 'confirmed the presence of an excellent hydrocarbon province.' A government statement said that according to preliminary estimates the field may contain over 1 million million cubic feet (tcf) of gas.

The Kirthar concession is held by a joint venture of Lasmo and Shell Exploration Pakistan. Both hold 47.5 per cent stakes in the concession, with the remaining 5 per cent held by the government's Oil & Gas Development Corporation. The government statement said that a comprehensive seismic survey will now be carried out to be followed by a sustained drilling programme.

Lasmo acquired a further concession, Kirthar West, in 1996 and in 1995 announced the start of production at Kadanwari, 330 kilometres northeast of Karachi (MEED 4:4:97).