Gazprom prepares for drilling its first deposit in Tajikistan.

12/8 Tass 167

DUSHANBE, August 12 (Itar-Tass) - Russia's gas giant Gazprom has begun
intensive preparation for drilling its first well at one of the most
promising gas fields, Sarikamysh, in Tajikistan's western region.
The preparatory operations are conducted by Gazprom's subsidiary -
Zarubezhneftegaz, the company's spokesperson, Yekaterina Kozhevnikova,
told reporters on Thursday.
Gazprom got licenses from the Tajik government for the development of
four promising fields - Sarikamysh, Rengan, Rengam and Shaambary.
At present, the company is creating infrastructure facilities on the
drilling area.
"We consider Sarikamysh most promising of Gazprom's four licensed
deposits and hope that the drilling of the first exploratory well will
yield positive results," the deputy director of Gazprom Zarubezhneft in
Tajikistan, Igor Shatalov, said.
The Tajik authorities expressed hope that Russia's participation in
the development of gas fields will help the republic to stop gas exports
from Uzbekistan.
Tajikistan needs no more than 2 billion cubic meters of gas to meet
its own demands.
Russian and Tajik experts say the republic's gas reserves that are
being explored exceed 1.5 trillion cubic meters.

-0-isk/gor