Pakistan Builds Artificial Island in Arabian Sea Amid Trump’s Interest in Offshore Oil Reserves

Published on: 20 Nov 2025 at 09:16 PM

Published by: Gill Bikram

Pakistan Builds Artificial Island in Arabian Sea Amid Trump’s Interest in Offshore Oil Reserves

Pakistan, a nation already battling deep economic distress and shortages of essential commodities like wheat and rice, has launched an unprecedented offshore construction project—an artificial island in the Arabian Sea. This move comes months after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly expressed interest in Pakistan’s “untapped oil reserves,” a statement that triggered excitement and urgency within Islamabad’s leadership.

According to a Bloomberg report citing Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) General Manager Arshad Palekar, the island is being built approximately 30 km off the Sindh coast, near Sujawal, and roughly 130 km from Karachi, Pakistan’s main commercial hub. The structure lies close to the mouth of the Indus River and just 60–70 km from Indian maritime boundaries, giving the project additional geopolitical significance.

Round-the-Clock Work to Tap Potential Reserves

Since Trump’s comments about Pakistan’s offshore resources, authorities have accelerated exploration efforts. Bloomberg notes that PPL has pushed its drilling and construction operations to run 24 hours a day, despite challenging sea conditions. The artificial platform is being built six feet above sea level to withstand high tides and rough waves.

Completion Expected by February 2026

PPL expects the island’s construction to finish by February 2026, after which full-scale drilling operations will begin immediately. The company plans to drill up to 25 wells in the region, aiming to confirm the presence of sizable oil and gas reserves within the Sindh Basin of the Arabian Sea.

Inspired by Abu Dhabi’s Artificial Drilling Islands

The project is Pakistan’s first attempt at creating an artificial island for offshore energy extraction. While ambitious and technically complex, the concept is not new globally. Countries like the UAE have successfully built artificial islands to replace expensive offshore rigs and expand production capacity.

PPL is reportedly modeling its approach on Abu Dhabi’s experience in constructing such islands—where soil, sand, and engineered materials are compacted below sea level to create stable landmasses large enough to host workers, machinery, and drilling operations. One key advantage of these islands is operational efficiency, as personnel can both live and work on-site, reducing travel time and costs.

A High-Stakes Gamble Near India

Given its proximity to Indian waters, the project is attracting regional interest. Observers note that Pakistan appears to be racing against both economic collapse and geopolitical pressure, hoping that a significant discovery could change its fortunes. Meanwhile, Trump’s remarks have been perceived in Pakistan as a signal that potential U.S. investment or strategic interest may follow if energy deposits are confirmed.

Whether this artificial island becomes a symbol of Pakistan’s economic revival—or another high-risk venture with political overtones—remains to be seen, but the country is pressing ahead at full speed.