Pakistan and Turkey have signed a landmark agreement to jointly explore 40 offshore oil and gas blocks in the Makran and Indus basins, potentially tapping into what some analysts describe as the fourth largest oil and gas reservoir in the world. The deal, finalized during the 2025 Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, brings together Pakistan’s state-owned energy firms and Turkey’s national oil company TPAO. This discovery, backed by three years of geological surveys, could transform Pakistan’s economy, where 25% of the population lives below the poverty line.

However, despite the potential, international interest has been limited due to security concerns. Past attacks on Chinese engineers and infrastructure linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) underscore the risks of operating in the region. Pakistan’s Energy Minister estimates that a $25–30 billion investment could unlock 10% of the country’s 235 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves over the next decade—enough to reduce dependence on energy imports.

Beyond hydrocarbons, Pakistan’s marine territory also holds strategic value for its blue economy, with resources such as cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements, alongside opportunities in fishing, marine biotech, and ecotourism. The Pakistan–Turkey collaboration could signal a broader shift toward regional energy alliances and the diversification of Pakistan’s economic base.

Link: https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Turkey-Pakistan-To-Explore-Worlds-Fourth-Largest-Oil-Gas-Reservoir.html