On 14 July, representatives from Gazprom and the Ministry of Energy and Industry of Tajikistan discussed the status of the geological exploration work in the Russian company's licensed blocks in the republic.     

At a production and technical meeting held in Dushanbe, devoted to the implementation of an "Agreement  on the basic principles for conducting geological studies of the subsoil in the oil-and-gas prospective fields of the Republic of Tajikistan", issues regarding the organisation and pace of drilling work within the scope of carrying out a phased programme of geological exploration, as well as a number of aspects regarding the preparations for conducting geological exploration in the licensed field of West Shokhambari.

Dmitri Belsky (head of the Gazprom's Gas and Gas Condensate Well Drilling division), Yuri Skok (deputy managing director of Gazprom International which represents Gazprom in overseas projects) Zarobiddin Faizullayev (deputy minister for energy and industry of the Republic of Tajikistan) and Azim Ibrohim (head of the Main Geological Department in the Tajikistan Government) took part in the event, as well as a number of other representatives from both sides.

During the course of the meeting, the participants visited the Shakhrinav 1-P drilling field in the Sarikamysh area, 36 km to the south-west of the Tajik capital. At present time, drilling under a second intermediate string has been completed at the well, with the bottomhole  now at a depth of 4,550 metres, and preparation work is being carried out to lower a casing tube, which is an important component of the well's construction.

Following the meeting, the Tajik side highly appreciated Gazprom's activity for the development of prospective oil-and-gas bearing fields in Tajikistan. In addition, it was observed that the dialogue that had taken place was fruitful and constructive, with complete mutual understanding on all the issues raised.

Reference:

Gazprom's collaboration with Tajikistan started in 2003 with the signing of a Strategic Co-operation Agreement in the gas sector between Gazprom and the Republic's Government for a 25-year term.

In 2008  the Tajikistan government and Gazprom signed an agreement "Regarding the general principles for conducting geological studies of the subsoil in the oil-and-gas prospective fields in the Republic of Tajikistan".

The drilling of the ultradeep exploratory well Shakhrinav-1P to a projected depth of 6,300 metres began in the Sarikamysh area in December 2010.