Pakistani ambassador touts business opportunities in his homeland Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry: ‘So much work to be done’ to develop gas shales

Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the United States, center, meets with Midlander Javid Anwar, left center, Midland County Judge Mike Bradford, left , Jose Cuevas and others 5/23/17 at a liuncheon at The Racquet Club in Midland. Tim Fischer/Reporter-Telegram less Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the United States, center, meets with Midlander Javid Anwar, left center, Midland County Judge Mike Bradford, left , Jose Cuevas and others ... more Photo: Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram Buy photo Photo: Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Pakistani ambassador touts business opportunities in his homeland 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Pakistan’s newly appointed ambassador to the U.S., Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, is working to attract investment dollars to his country, and that job recently brought him to Midland.

“It was a very good visit,” he said in a phone interview. “All of the people there are doing a wonderful job extracting oil and providing our needs.”

He said he was in town to discuss with area businesses the opportunities that are opening up in Pakistan, particularly in the shale gas reserves the country holds. Pakistan is estimated to have approximately 10 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

“Midland is known for energy, and we’re seeing the latest technology applied in Midland,” the ambassador said.

Opportunities range from consulting to providing equipment and technology as the country begins working developing its shale gas reserves.

“There’s so much work to be done,” Chaudhry said. “I wanted to tell them about the opportunities coming up and give them time to make up their minds.”

Mark Nicholas, president of Nicholas Consulting Group and who helps area companies develop international business, urged companies to use caution in venturing overseas.

In some areas, he said political unrest and security are concerns.

But another concern is lack of infrastructure, particularly in oil and gas development efforts.

“In Texas, we’re blessed with infrastructure,” he said, whereas oil and natural gas in other parts of the world may be stranded because of a lack of infrastructure to move the product to market.

He said Pakistan lacks infrastructure and equipment such as pipeyards to hold drilling tubing and casing or sand for hydraulic fracturing.

Nicholas also said that crude oil is easily transportable, either by pipe or truck, but natural gas is not so easily transported to market. Natural gas is priced locally rather than on world markets like crude.

“If there’s no demand, natural is not really worth anything,” he said.

Still, he said “this is the place” for countries looking for help in developing their natural resources, with companies able to sell equipment or technical know-how.

“I think it would be wise for companies to maintain contact (with Pakistan) and keep up with developments there,” Nicholas said. “The opportunities may not be in production but in providing equipment like drill bits.”