Pakistan News:

Security concerns force MOL to stop production

Pakistan Observer Staff Reporter
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Karachi—MOL Pakistan has immediately suspended the production operations of oil and gas from the Maramzai well due to security concerns and has demanded of the government to provide safe and secure working conditions.

The decision was taken after MOL convoy was ambushed by unknown miscreants on way back to Central Processing Facility (CPF) from Maramzai site on Thursday in which six persons including four FC guards, one contractor driver and one local labour was killed, according to MOL spokesman.
The miscreants also abducted two people one driver and one specialist from contractor as one guard sustained injuries when firing ensued.

The suspension of operation would result in suspension of 40 MMSCFD gas and 1600 barrel oil per day production. MOL has also withdrawn all personnel from the well site forthwith in order to avoid any further human loss, the spokesman said.

It may be mentioned that Tal block contributes heavily to Pakistan’s oil & gas production estimated at 8% of gas and 13% of oil. Lower oil production risks higher oil import bill. Similarly, the government is already facing significant shortage of gas estimated at 25% of total demand due to peak winter season.

As far as Maramzai field was concerned it is the fourth discovery in Tal block which had started production on January 3 with 40mmcfd of gas and 1650bpd of oil volumes. Sources added that POL, PPL and OGDC drive 43%, 18% and 9% of sales from Tal block.

Although the time period of shut-in is not confirmed as yet but likely to be contingent on beefing up of security by the government in the area. The closure of the production would naturally have a serious fall out effect when the energy sector was already under acute pres-sure due to short supply of gas.

Sources said that if the security concern persists it is bound to have a negative fall out ef-fect on going exploration activity in the country. Such incidents in future had an impact on both POL and PPL due to attacks on high pressure gas pipe line from Sui gas field.

Meanwhile, Management of MOL with profound grief announces the death of six persons including four FC guards, one contractor driver and one local labour as its convoy was am-bushed by unknown miscreants on way back to Central Processing Facility (CPF) from Maramzai site well around 4:30pm in the evening on Thursday.

The miscreants also abducted two people one driver and one specialist from contractor as one guard sustained injuries when firing ensued.

MOL Pakistan have immediately suspended the production operations from the Maramzai well due to security concerns resulting in suspension of 40 MMSCFD gas and 1600 barrel oil per day production and have withdrawn all personnel from the well site forthwith in order to avoid any further human loss.

Janos Feher, Managing Director of the company in his condolence message to all company employees and bereaved families expressed his shock and profound grief over this unfortunate development. “We all wish we could undo what happened and bring those back who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty,” he said.

The Managing Director stated a strong demand has been put forward to the federal and provincial government to provide safe and secure working conditions and requested the Government to take all necessary measures for the timely release of abductees.



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Six killed, two abducted in Pakistan kidnap

(AFP) – 1 day ago

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Suspected Taliban militants abducted two oil company officials on Thursday after an ambush that left six people dead in Pakistan's troubled northwest, officials said.

Militants on hilltops in Darmalik village, 20 kilometres (12 miles) west of the town of Kohat, opened fire on an oil company team returning from an exploration site in the area, senior police official Fazal Naeem told AFP.

"Two company officials were killed along with four soldiers from the paramilitary Frontier Corps who were providing escort to the team," he said.

The attackers, believed to number more than a dozen, captured two oil company officials before fleeing in waiting cars, he added.

Kohat administration chief Khalid Omarzai confirmed the incident and the abduction of officials, who were believed to be locals.

The area is located close to Pakistan's lawless tribal region on the Afghan border.

Taliban militants entrenched in the region are engaged in a campaign of violence against government officials and security forces in Pakistan, a key ally in the US-led "war against terror".

Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved

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Firing incidents claim 5 lives in Karachi

Qaim expresses surprise over Rangers operation

Nasir Mahmood
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Karachi—Firing incidents claimed five lives in various areas of metropolis. According to police, two people were shot near Joria Bazaar after which victims were taken to the Civil Hospital Karachi where they succumbed to injuries.

Tension gripped Kharadar, Bolton Market, Joria Bazaar and other nearby markets against the double murder. Deceased were identified as Haji Fareed and Saeed Arif Gulliu. Both of them were reportedly affiliated with a political party. Previous day, three people were also shot dead. Police said that incidents of firing took place in Orangi Town, Pirabad and Eidgah areas.

The second violent attack was reported in Lyari Town, where three unidentified persons were injured. They were also shifted to Civil Hospital. Police registered a case against unknown accused and started investigations.

On the other hand, arrested target killers have confessed killing of private television channel reporter, Wali Khan Babar. Muddasir Chief and his accomplices Atif Shahab and Raees were arrested from Super Highway here yesterday. They confessed murdering 25 other people also. Investigative sources told media that they killed the journalist because he was reporting against them during the Pehlwan Goth operation. It is said that Muddasir Langra alias Chief used to sell drugs in the area. During investigation, the suspects said they received training for terror activities from Parachinar.

Earlier, Interior Minister Rehman Malik Thursday disclosed that the assassins of reporter Wali Khan Babar had been identified and the authorities were very close to nabbing the culprits. “The arrested suspects are of commander-level people and they, if not held, could have attacked (National) Assembly,” the Interior Minister said adding many key politicians were also their targets. He also recalled his meetings with Wali Khan Babar when the latter covered former’s events. “Wali Khan Babar was a dedicated reporter and an asset of the country,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sindh, Qaim Ali Shah on Friday said that he did not order for operation in Karachi. What the Rangers did was in their power. Shah said there is confusion regarding the operation. He said the police know the city’s condition better, but rangers have been given police powers and can take action. He said in result of the operation in Karachi several target killers have been arrested.

CM was talking to media on Urs of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. He said that government is in touch with political parties for improvement in law and order situation in Karachi, adding that target killers, encroachers and drug dealers were being arrested in the city. He further said that there are misconceptions regarding Karachi operation. Replying a question about amendments in the local government law, Sindh Chief Minister said that the final decision can be made after consultation with the coalition partners. 

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