Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 8
By Khalid Kazimov -- Trend:
Initial observations indicate a high probability that gas fields will be found to the northeast of Iran, local officials have said.
Hormoz Qalavand, director of exploration at the Ministry of Petroleum, said studies show new gas fields in the area between Khangiran and Kalat in northeastern Iran will be discovered, SHANA news agency reported Sept. 8.
He said the sedimentary stones of the Kopet Dag district have formed in the Mesozoic Era and their physical features comply with the conditions needed for the existence of hydrocarbon reserves.
The thickness of the stones is over 7,000 meters and as there is no volcanic activity in the area, they are likely to contain gas and other hydrocarbons, the official said.
Kapet-Daq covers areas in Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, and so far, the Iranian gas fields of Khangiran, Gonbadli, and Tous, as well as Dauletabad and Donmez fields in Turkmenistan have been found in it.
A 2015 report by British Petroleum put Iran high in the international ranking for having the largest gas reserve. It is the third year Iran is carrying the title. Iran holds 33.8 trillion cubic meters of proven natural gas reserves- or 18.2 percent of the world's total proven reserves.
Edited by CN