Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC) has signed an agreement with US-based energy technology company Baker Hughes to increase oil and gas production from its mature fields.

Under the deal, Baker Hughes will use its Mature Assets Solutions to identify ways to increase output and resolve production challenges at OGDC’s ageing oil and gas wells. The project is part of OGDC’s Production Optimization Drive, which aims to get more production from the company’s existing fields.

The agreement was signed at OGDC’s headquarters in Islamabad in the presence of Special Secretary Petroleum Mirza Nasiruddin Mashood Ahmad and US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker. OGDC Managing Director and CEO Ahmed Hayat Lak and senior officials from both companies were also present.

OGDC operates 18 major mature assets, including 12 oil fields and six gas and condensate fields. The company currently produces more than 40,000 barrels of crude oil per day, 815 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day, 780 metric tonnes of LPG per day and 80 metric tonnes of sulfur per day.

Baker Hughes will provide technical expertise, advanced technology and integrated services to help OGDC improve recovery from fields where production has declined over time. The partnership will also look at using new technologies to improve the performance of Pakistan’s mature oil and gas assets.

OGDC CEO Ahmed Hayat Lak said the company was working with international service providers to improve production and strengthen Pakistan’s energy security. Special Secretary Petroleum Mirza Nasiruddin Mashood Ahmad said the agreement would help increase domestic oil and gas output.

US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker described the agreement as an important development in the US-Pakistan energy partnership, saying cooperation between OGDC and Baker Hughes could contribute to stronger energy security.

The initiative is expected to improve recovery from existing fields and help Pakistan reduce its dependence on imported energy.