ISLAMABAD: Advisor to the prime minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain on Thursday said that the ministry is working on addition of gas from various sources including new discoveries, abandoned fields, marginal gases and flared gases.

He said this while chairing a meeting on abandoned, marginal and flared gases, which was attended by the secretary petroleum, managing directors of OGDC and PPL, additional secretary (petroleum), director general (petroleum concessions) and representatives of Pakistan Petroleum Exploration and Production Companies Association (PPEPCA).

Criteria for zonal distribution and pricing of gas from abandoned fields, marginal gases and flared gases were discussed in the meeting.

Dr Asim Hussain directed to make all out efforts to prepare policy / guidelines for these gases so that additional gas is inserted into the system.

An expected 200 MMCFD gas is estimated to be added from these sources.

In a separate meeting with Vice President (Asia Pacific) ENI S.P.A Luiqi Ciarrocchi, the advisor said the new Petroleum and Exploration Policy 2012 provides investor friendly opportunities for foreign oil and gas companies.

Luiqi Ciarrocchi thanked the advisor for facilitation provided by the petroleum ministry to ENI regarding existing operations in Pakistan.

The advisor was informed that three shale gas pilot projects are being planned and wells will be drilled next year for the purpose.

The three projects will require approximately 1100 wells, compared to 1850 drilled in the whole country till date entailing an investment of $ 10 billion.