DUSHANBE, April 15, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- The Main Geology Directorate has set up a team numbering twenty specialists for exploration of hydrocarbon deposits in the country, the head Main Geology Directorate under the Government of Tajikistan Azim Ibrohim said in an interview with Asia-Plus.

According to him, they will explore areas for hydrocarbon deposits in cooperation with specialists from Canada’s Tethys Tajikistan Limited (Tethys).

“We have applied to Tethys’ administration asking to allot us a certain area for exploration work,” said Ibrohim, “We have reached an agreement that if they find the outcomes of our work suitable, we will continue cooperation, concluding larger contracts.”  He noted that the contract on participation of Tajik team in exploration work in cooperation with Tethys would be signed within the next few days.

Ibrohim noted that five companies were currently engaged in exploring areas for hydrocarbon deposits in Tajikistan: Tethys; Zarubezhneftegaz, which is affiliate of Russia’s state-controlled gas company Gazprom; Tajik-Swiss JV Somon Oil; Singapore’s Marvis; and Tajik-US JV TojAm.