The BHP vice president of operations and development for Pakistan, Francis Egan, was confident that the successes of the two wells would lead to bigger and better things. According to Egan, the success of Zamzama East is "a further encouraging result for the Zamzama Joint Venture. The data we have from these two successful appraisal wells enhances our understanding of the reservoir and this will be incorporated into planning for the further development of the Zamzama Field."

"We are currently progressing new contractual arrangements to sell this additional gas into the Pakistan market," he added.

Data gathered from the Zamzama East drilling showed that the well was drilled to a depth of around 4.051 metres and hit a 36.3 metre net gas bearing Pab sandstone within a 61.3 metre gross gas column. Further data showed that the well flowed at a 40 MMscfd on a 48/64-inch choke.

In comparison, Zamzama North had a 127 metre gross gas column with 79 metres of net pay. The well flowed at a gas rate of around 41 MMscfd on a 48/64-inch choke. The well, which was commissioned by BHP as the Zamzama Phase I Development, began commercial operations in July last year and currently supplies around 300 MMscfd of gas to the Pakistan market.

BHP - in the form of its Pakistan subsidiary BHP Petroleum (Pakistan) Pty Ltd - is the operator of the field and holds a 38.5% share. Other shareholders in Zamzama are Government Holdings (Private) Ltd (25%), PKP Exploration Ltd (a JV between Kufpec and Premier Oil, 18.75%) and Eni Pakistan (M) Ltd (17.75%).