National Centre of Excellence in Geology has become the main centre for Earth and Environmental Sciences over the past few decades in the Pakistani education arena. It has launched many projects to study the geology and environment of various regions of Pakistan. Pakistan is in the line of those developing countries which are struggling to meet their energy demands.

Most part of the region is still lacking documented geological record. Speaking in particular context of hydrocarbon potential of the region, the area remained unattended and less explored with the perspective to quantify the aerial extents of potential source rocks, he added.

The objectives of the said project are:

Both the surface and subsurface geological data will be stored and preserved using modern technology trends.

The research under this project will serve as workable technical document aimed at generating industry standard geo-data and maps from the grass root level.

Therefore, Pakistani researchers are striving hard to find energy reserves such as coal and petroleum in potential areas to lessen the burden of exports. Recently NCEG launched a project titled “Source rock mapping and investigations for hydrocarbon potential in FATA” worth 39 million rupees with the consent of the Govt of NWFP. Dr Fazli Rabbi is nominated (by the Governor NWFP) as the Resource Person of the project owing to his excellence, experience and expertise in the field of geology. 

While talking to the guest Dr. Fazli Rabbi said “The Tribal areas of NWFP spread over an area of 27000 km2 most of which is mountainous and hilly terrains. Stratigraphic succession of the area is characterized by occurrences of different lithologies, which reflects varied depositional environment and tectonic setup. As the bet has not been systematically studied and evaluated in particular context of distribution of petroleum source rocks. Elementary data is yet to be generated as pre- requisite to establish base for detailed exploration of hydrocarbon potential in the area. With the latest techniques of Geomicrobial survey, we can assess the hydrocarbon prospectivety with optimum level of confidence”.

The data generated under the project will help attracting foreign investments in the field of oil exploration in the area, which in turn will generate employment opportunities and social uplift of the area.

He also announced that the project will include MSc, Mphl and PhD students along with the professional researchers. This venture will not only bring young students a chance to learn from the experts but also will help them cultivate their minds with fertile seeds of knowledge.
 
Later on Mr Fazli Rabbi thanked the Vice chancellor University of Peshawar and governor NWFP for their support and keen interest that made this project a possibility. This is a dream come true he said enthusiastically I have been fighting for it against all odds for last 7 or 8 years.

The project will bring light to the war torn country. Recently Pakistan in general and tribal areas in particular is facing an onslaught from the so called Taliban. Pakistan is facing a grave energy crisis these days, hunting for oil and other energy resources shall be funded and thoroughly encouraged by the Govt. of Pakistan.
 

Tag: fata oil exploration pesharwar nwfp taliban geology encironmental stratigraphic nceg pakistan