SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum (MoMP) says oil extraction has been launched from five wells in the Zmarotsai area of the Amu Darya oil basin in northern Jawzjan province, with around 500 cubic metres of oil being extracted daily.
Homayoon Afghan, spokesman for MoMP, said a total of 12 wells had been drilled in the area, five of which have now been officially activated and oil extraction has begun.
He said around 500 cubic metres of oil were being extracted daily from these five wells, and efforts were underway to activate the remaining seven wells.
He added that once all 12 wells become operational, daily oil production was expected to increase to around 1,200 tonnes.
Afghan said expansion of activities in the Amu Darya oil basin could play an important role in increasing domestic production and strengthening the country’s economy.
Meanwhile, a technical official of the project, Eng. Nasiruddin, said: “All 12 wells have been drilled and equipped by Afghan experts using available resources. We have managed to reach the production phase without foreign assistance, which is an important achievement in the country’s energy sector.”
He added that the wells were now fully ready for extraction and their daily production capacity reaches around 500 tonnes of oil.
He stressed that all stages of work had been carried out in line with technical standards and safety principles and efforts were underway to further increase production capacity in the future.
Meanwhile, some residents of the province said the activation of these wells was very important for them, as it had created job opportunities for local youth and improved household economic conditions.
Fawzia, a resident of Shiberghan city, said: “We are happy that Afghan experts have carried out this project. It shows that our country has the capacity to utilise its natural resources.”
She added that creating employment opportunities for local youth was one of the key achievements of the project.
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