Shell hopes Anne-1 will lead to Pakistan's first offshore oil output.

(From Lloyds List)

Byline: Results of deepwater exploration in Indus basin are keenly awaited in nation dominated by onshore production, writes Bruce McMichael, Lahore

PAKISTAN'S energy sector is dominated by onshore gas production but one oil major is hoping to find hydrocarbons offshore.

While the Pakistani exploration and production industry is growing steadily, the bulk of activity has been onshore so far. But this will change as Royal Dutch Shell is set to drill a keenly awaited exploration well later this year.

Although there is no offshore production as yet, Shell is looking to change this by drilling its Anne-1 deep-water well in the second half of this year to target a Tertiary Delta play in the Indus basin, some 150 miles south of Karachi.

European oil majors have long been involved with exploration and development activities with London-based BP, …