Canada-based energy company Jura Energy Corporation (Jura) announced Monday that drilling has commenced at Maru East-1 site in the Guddu block, located in the Central Indus Basin of Pakistan. The projected depth of the exploratory well is 2,526 feet (770 meters), which will target the hydrocarbon potential of the Pirkoh Limestone formation of Eocene age. 

Maru East-1 is located approximately 1.24 miles (2 kilometers) from the existing pipeline infrastructure of the Reti, Maru and Maru South development and production leases (Reti-Maru Fields) in the Guddu Block. Commercial production from the Reti-Maru Fields commenced Dec. 26, 2013. 

The Guddu Block covers an area of 808.2 square miles (2,093.4 square kilometers) and is located adjacent to several producing gas fields. Jura holds a 10.66 percent working interest in the Guddu Block, which is operated by Oil and Gas Development Company Limited.