Turkmenistan: New Oil Projects in Karakum Desert to Produce 500 Tons Daily

Two sizable oil deposits in Turkmenistan's Karakum Desert are ready to start production.

At Yylakly, an oil deposit 65 kilometers north of Baharly, in Akhal Province, six wells will be able to produce 130 tons of oil per day. Eventually 150 tons per day will be transported to the Turkmenbashi oil refinery, Turkmen and Russian media outlets reported on June 23.

The first phase of operations at Mydar, 140 kilometers north of Baharly, will top 250 tons of oil daily. Production is expected to reach 350 tons daily, subject to further development of the deposit.

"The realization of investment projects in the central Karakum will increase the number of fields operated by the state entity Turkmenneft, and will provide additional income for the state," the Turkmen state news agency commented. Turkmenistan aims to produce 10.9 million tons of oil in 2009.