Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Aug.13 / Trend, H.Hasanov /
The Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymuhammadov has instructed the State Agency for the Management and Use of Hydrocarbon Resources to intensify works on an environmental study of projects in the Turkmenistan sector of the Caspian Sea shelf implemented by Russia's Itera and Germany's RWE Dea AG.
According to an official Turkmen source, Berdimuhammadov voiced his order at the last governmental meeting.
Itera got a license in 2009 for exploratory works for 6 years at block No.21, located in the southwestern part of the Turkmen part of the Caspian shelf.
According to preliminary estimates, investments in the project will amount to about one billion dollars.
Preliminary seismic studies showed that the West Erdekli with resources of 158 million tons of oil and 62 billion cubic meters of natural gas is the most promising structure in the block.
At the initial stage of the exploratory works the contractor plans to collect and process seismic data that, which will allow to determine area for location of exploratory wells. Itera as a partner plans to attract the Russian company Zarubejneft.
In July 2009, a license was issued to one of the major energy companies of Europe- Germany's RWE Company. In accordance with agreement, the German company received a license for exploratory works on the contract area of the offshore block № 23 for 6 years.
If the company discovers hydrocarbons, it receives a commercial production license for 25 years.
According to geologists, significant amounts of hydrocarbon resources, natural gas are estimated at this promising block. Their specific amounts will be determined based on the program of exploratory works, including seismic study and drilling of wells.