Uzbekistan’s Uzgeoburneftegaz Joint Stock Company (JSC), a subsidiary of Uzbekneftegaz, has revealed it has signed a contract with China Petroleum Technology and Development Corporation (CPTDC) to deliver 23 drilling rigs and technical support worth US$203 million.
The Uzbek firm has begun the second stage of developing prospective areas in the south of the country – in the Kashkadarinski region, the Surkhandarinski region, the Ustyurt plateau and the shelf of the Aral Sea.
“Use of new drilling rigs of joint Russian and Chinese production in geological survey enabled to complete the construction of 13 exploration wells instead of 11 in line with the prospective plan at the first quarter of 2008, and to begin the development work at the five most prospective areas from 18 recommended by the scientific and research institute in 2008,” said Zavki Safarov, chief geologist of Uzgeoburneftegaz JSC.
Uzbekneftegaz will also purchase equipment for seismic operations at the lump cost of about $65million within the framework of the project. The Uzbek oil and gas holding intends to purchase 10 digital telemetry earthquake detection stations for seismic operations at the shelf of the Aral Sea. The purchase will be financed through own capital of Uzbekneftegaz NHC.
Uzbekistan plan to implement deep-well drilling at 100 prospective areas of all oil and gas regions of the country by 2012. Currently, by-stage renewal of drilling equipment fleet, special technique for drilling and testing of wells, as well as, instruments, techniques and equipment for geophysical and laboratory research are being realized to implement this task.
