Manas Petroleum Corporation announces that its 90% owned subsidiary, Somon Oil was granted the Tajik "North-West" petroleum license which covers 2492 km2 (615 784 acre) of exploration area. The license entitles for 7 years of exploration. In case of discovery Somon Oil has an exclusive right on the discovered field.
The license area is located in the north part of the Sugd region, and is bordering with Uzbekistan and the Uzbek pipeline network. In the south-west the license area is adjacent with Somon Oils western license areas Novobod and Obchai-Kalacha. All producing fields of North Tajikistan are located less than 20 KM south. Existing exploration data within the North-West license area contain 6 wells and 1100 km of 2-D seismic which was acquired during Soviet exploration campaigns between 1964 and 1992.
Somon Oil targets large four-way closure prospects in the North-West license area at a depth of 3,5-4,5 km. The under thrust four way closure prospects in the North part are in the same geological setting as the giant Minbulag field which is located across the border in Uzbekistan. The Minbulag field is the largest oil field within Fergana basin. The stratigraphy, lithology, reservoirs and seal of the North-West area are identical to other parts of Fergana basin. Oil shows in uranium exploration wells (1950s) which penetrate reservoir beds in the upper thrust sheet proves oil generation and migration in the area.
The 7 years work program contains 400 KM of 2-D seismic, 100 KM2 of 3-D seismic and 2 deep wells.
Financing for the exploration up to discovery is secured by the existing option farmout to Santos.