US allocates $ 3.5 mm to Afghan oil and gas exploration project

Roz Mohammad Nur, the governor of Jowzjan Province, had a meeting with a number of gas, oil and geology experts from the United States of America and a US diplomat attached to the PRT [Provincial Reconstruction Team] based in Mazar-e Sharif [the provincial capital of Balkh Province].
The meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere. In a briefing to explain the objectives of the visit by the US gas, oil and geology experts to Sheberghan [the provincial capital of Jowzjan Province], the head of the delegation said: "We came here to carry out surveys and initial research into the gas and oil fields in Sheberghan and to determine their capacity in order to attract the attention of countries that are interested in this market. The USA has allocated $ 3.5 mm for the survey of the gas and oil fields. It will supply this sum of money to the Ministry of Mines and Industries of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to survey and study the gas and oil fields."

Afterwards, the governor of Jowzjan Province said in welcoming the guests: "I am grateful for your actions because you have started to study and survey the gas and oil fields. We appreciate this and it is very important. You know that the Northern Gas and Oil Exploration Project is one of the big economic ventures of the country."
"In the past some 4,000 workers worked on this project. We want this project to get started once again and its equipment to be replaced and modernized. This project is in desperate need of rehabilitation. We are sure that better research and exploration can be carried out and the project can be active once we gain access to modern technology. The Jowzjan Administration will not just support and express appreciation of such important actions. It will spare no effort to ensure its success."

Later on, Ms Pat Rishen, the US diplomat attached to the Mazar-e Sharif-based PRT, expressed her deep condolences regarding the assassination attempt [on Gen Abdorrashid Dostum] committed. She reassured the governor of her country's cooperation in this regard. They also exchanged views on ways to speed up reconstruction in Jowzjan Province and emphasized the importance of this issue.
The meeting was also attended by Engineer Amirzadah and Engineer Nazar Mohammad, the technical assistants of the Northern Gas and Petroleum Exploration Project. The meeting ended amicably.