Russian gas giant OJSC Gazprom plans to invest 3 billion rubles (about 100 million U.S. dollars) in oil and gas explorations in Kyrgyzstan, the company said Wednesday.
Gazprom will launch the second phase of exploration at the Kugart and Mailuu-Sai-4 deposits, the company's CEO Alexei Miller told Interfax at a press conference.
The company specialists have "determined the volume of raw hydrocarbon deposits that will suffice to satisfy Kyrgyzstan," Miller said. "And Gazprom will help extract gas and oil with which to ensure Kyrgyzstan its security in deliveries of fuel.", Xinhua reported.
Miller said that he has signed a protocol with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev stipulating strict timeframes for the continuation of exploration and beginning of mutual efforts in banking. "Fifteen days will be allocated for everything," he said.
Kyrgyzstan has suggested that Gazprom consider acquiring the nationalized bank Zalkar, Miller said. The parties will also soon take practical steps towards Gazprom's acquisition of two Kyrgyz state enterprises -- Kyrgyzneftegas and Kyrgyzgas.
"We intend in the near future to open Gazprom company group offices here that will work on a wide range of matters," Miller said.