BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Small Chinese company Chzhunnen Oil Exploration said Tuesday that it had produced a test barrel from a well in southern Kyrgyzstan, but further exploration and more drilling would be required before industrial production can begin.
Chzhunnen acquired three license areas in the southern Kyrgyz province of Batken in 2008. Kyrgyz Energy Minister Askarbek Shadiyev said he hoped the company would eventually build a refinery after starting industrial production of crude. "The most important thing is that this oil is processed here, so that we will have gasoline, diesel, fuel oil," he said. Kyrgyzstan produces only about 11 percent of the oil and gas it consumes and depends on Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for other refined products.
Kyrgyzstan's state geology agency estimates the country has the potential to hold 765 million to 1.36 billion tons of hydrocarbon reserves. It estimates reserves within the license areas held by Chzhunnen at about 260,000 tons.
(Reuters)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
