DUSHANBE , July 10, Asia-Plus -- The gas field “Qizil-Tumshuq” in the Tajik southern province of Khatlon intends to increase its annual production of natural gas by 2 million cubic meters.

Mr. Burikhon Ismatov, the Director of the “South Oil-and-Gas Production” State Unitary Enterprise, has told Asia-Plus that the gas field “Qizil-Tumshuq” last year produced 9.234 million cubic meters of natural gas.  This year, they plan to bring production of natural gas at this gas field up to more than 11 million cubic meters.  According to Ismatov, it is possible due to major repairs to one of bore-holes at the gas field.  “60,000 Somonis (equivalent to some US$18,200) have been invested in rehabilitation of this bore-hole,” Burikhon Ismatov said.    

Four bore-holes are operating at the “Qizil-Tumshuq” gas field and they daily produce totaling some 60,000 tons of natural gas.  “This gas field supplies natural gas to the cities of Qurghon Teppa and Sarband as well the district of Kolkhozobod in Khatlon,” said Ismatov, “Now gas supplies to the populations of these areas will increase by 18,000-20,000 cubic meters a day.”

Mr. Ismatov says the “South Oil-and-Gas Production” State Unitary Enterprise also intends to rehabilitate the gas field “Bishtinchak” in the Baljuvon district as well.       

As it had been reported earlier, during his visit to Tajikistan in March this year, Gazprom chief executive Alexei Miller and Tajik energy minister signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the creation of an oil and gas joint venture.  Gazprom has allocated $6 million from its budget to the joint venture.  Regarding the parties'' shares in the venture''s authorized capital, Miller said there was an agreement that Gazprom would hold the JV''s controlling stake.  Under the deal, Gazprom will develop four gas fields - Sariqamysh and Rengan in the west, and Sargazon and Olimtoi in the south. Proven gas resources in Sariqamysh and Rengan total 40 billion cubic meters and Sargazon 30 billion, while the Olimtoi deposit has yet to be prospected.

According to expert estimates, the aggregate raw-materials resources of the oil and gas bearing areas in Tajikistan amount to about 1,000 billion tons of reference fuel, according to expert estimates.  At the same time, production work at oil and gas fields require considerable expenditure, since hydrocarbon deposits occur at depths ranging from 6.5 to 8 km.  Some experts question the profitability of such deposits.