Kabul (TDI): Afghanistan is set to ramp up its oil production in the Amu Darya basin with plans to operate 25 new wells, expected to increase daily output to 3,000 tons, officials announced on Thursday.
Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson of Afghanistan, revealed that the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum currently operates 24 active wells, producing around 1,300 tons of oil daily.
“The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum aims to activate an additional twenty-five wells by the end of this year. 18 of these will be newly drilled, two will serve as exploratory wells, and five will undergo rehabilitation,” Fitrat explained.
Economic experts, however, are advising a cautious approach, urging officials to carefully manage the expansion and seek foreign investment to process the extracted oil domestically.
They highlighted that Afghanistan has vast natural resources but lacks the advanced machinery necessary for oil processing.
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International cooperation is essential to import and operate modern equipment,” experts believed.
The Amu Darya, a vital river for Central Asia, plays a critical role in regional water management.
Although 72-73% of its flow originates in Tajikistan, its waters serve the agricultural needs of several neighboring countries.
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In April, Central Asian nations agreed on water allocations for the Amu Darya and Syrdarya rivers for the summer growing season of 2024.
Under the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (ICWC) agreement, Uzbekistan is to receive 16 billion cubic meters, Turkmenistan 15.5 billion, and Tajikistan 6.9 billion cubic meters from the Amu Darya watershed.
