KHUJAND, October 19, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- The population of Konibodom in Sughd province now receives natural gas regularly, Asia-Plus has learned from Asroriddin Shokirov, director of open joint-stock company, Konibodomgaz (local natural-gas distributor).

According to him, Konibodom now receives 4,000 cubic meters of natural gas per day from gas well 66 at local gas field “Konibodom,” which is developed by Tajik-Austrian joint venture with limited liability, Petroleum Sugd. “The well produces up to 6,000 cubic meters of natural gas per day,” said Shokirov, “In Konibodom, 3,500 households receive natural gas.”

He noted that residential customers paid for gas regularly, and therefore, gas was supplied to their houses day and night.

The JV Petroleum Sugd was founded by the Tajik Government and the private Austrian company, Energy Partners Austria. Energy Partners Austria (EPA) is an Austria-based exploration and development company with an emphasis on Central Asia. According information posted on EPA’s website, it holds 57% of Tajikistan’s oil fields.