The Qadirpur gas field in Sindh has faced a severe disruption as floodwaters from the Indus River reached several gas well platforms. Officials from the Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) confirmed that ten wells have been affected, leading to a suspension of production for the past two days.
On Monday, the river’s Katcha area experienced significant flooding, submerging nearby villages and causing erosion that compromised protective measures around the gas wells. The floodwaters breached the Emergency Response Water (ERW) system in Block-VI, which is designed to protect the wells during extreme conditions.
OGDCL sources highlighted that this disruption has temporarily halted gas output from the ten affected wells. The ERW platform, known for withstanding the devastating 2010 super flood, has also suffered damage in the current incident, signaling the severity of the flood.
The Qadirpur gas field is one of Pakistan’s major natural gas reserves, located in the Ghotki district of Sindh. It plays a vital role in the country’s energy supply, particularly for the region’s industrial and domestic consumption. Consequently, any suspension of production has immediate implications for gas availability and energy stability in the area.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and assessing the damage caused by the floods. They are working to restore operations while ensuring the safety of personnel on-site. OGDCL engineers are inspecting the affected wells and reviewing the integrity of protective infrastructure to prevent further damage.
The recent floods have raised concerns about the vulnerability of key energy assets to extreme weather events. Experts emphasize the importance of reinforcing flood defenses and updating emergency response protocols for critical gas installations. Lessons learned from previous flood incidents, such as the 2010 super flood, are being applied to enhance preparedness and resilience.
In addition to affecting production, the floods have disrupted the lives of local communities in the Katcha area. Villagers are dealing with submerged homes and eroded land, highlighting the broader impact of climate-induced disasters on both energy infrastructure and livelihoods.
While OGDCL works to resume normal gas production, authorities stress that continued monitoring of water levels and proactive risk management is essential. Immediate measures include reinforcing river embankments and deploying emergency response teams to safeguard both personnel and equipment.
The Qadirpur gas field’s recent flooding underscores the challenges posed by natural disasters to Pakistan’s energy sector. Timely interventions and robust flood management systems are critical to protecting key energy infrastructure while ensuring uninterrupted gas supply.
