On Monday, May 7, Tajik Minister of Energy and Industry Gul Sherali met with foreign founders and shareholders of Somon Oil joint company headed by Vice President of the Australian Santos oil and gas company Martin Eames.

In the course of the meeting Gul Sherali informed the visiting delegation about the republic’s need in oil and gas resources and outlined the need to speed up hydrocarbon exploration works in areas owed by Somon Oil, Tajik Energy and Industry Ministry told AP.

The meeting resulted in the signing of a Production Sharing Agreement between the Government of the republic and Somon Oil.

Somon Oil was founded by the Swiss DWM Petroleum. With its Headquarter in Baar, Switzerland, the company mainly operates in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and South America.

Currently the company is carrying out exploration works in Albania, Kyrgyzstan and Chili. In Central Asia region the company operates in partnership with the Australian Santos.

Currently Somon Oil explores hydrocarbon in Zapadny and North-East areas located in Sughd province in north Tajikistan. The company got exploration licenses in 2009.