Rosgeo may get contract in Uzbekistan for ground seismic exploration in Ustyurt region

MOSCOW. Nov 10 (Interfax) - Rosgeo hopes to receive a new contract in Uzbekistan for 2D/3D seismic exploration work on the territories of the Ustyurt region adjacent to the Aral Sea, the company's Director General Sergei Gorkov told reporters on Thursday.

"It's a new contract. We are discussing the conditions, we are conducting reconnaissance work [initial exploration of the work area] now. I think we can sign it before the end of this year as we should start implementing the project in April. We are confident that we can get this project for the contract for next year," he said.

According to earlier reports, Rosgeo in collaboration with Uzbek specialists found 11 promising oil and gas sites on the territory of the drying Aral Sea and created an oil and gas model of the basin.

The head of Rosgeo told a press conference on Thursday the holding intends to continue working on geological exploration of the Aral Sea. "The first stage was completed successfully, we plan to continue the work in the next field season, after which the drilling can start," he said.

Gorkov also said the work volumes in Kazakhstan (on solid mineral resources is expected to increase next year, adding that there are prospects of signing two new contracts in Mongolia in addition to the existing ones.

"I already said we generally did not decrease the work volume this year, but increased [it] by 20% for these countries [Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia], but we are also confident that we can increase the volumes next year as well," Gorkov said.