Singapore (Platts)--25Mar2009

Afghanistan has invited expressions of interest for three blocks to be
offered in a soon-to-be-launched maiden licensing round, the Ministry of Mines
said in a statement released earlier this month.
The three blocks, located in the northern part of the country, are
Jangalikalan, Jume-Bashikurd, and Kashkari. All three have known
hydrocarbon-bearing accumulations, the ministry said.
The Jangalikalan block is estimated to hold 19 billion cubic meters (671
Bcf) of recoverable gas reserves, the Jume-Bashikurd block is estimated to
hold 33 Bcm of recoverable gas and the Kashkari block 64.4 million barrels of
oil, it said, adding that the potential figure could be much higher.
Most of the oil and gas fields on these blocks were discovered in the
1970s during the Soviet-led exploration campaigns, but barring one field --
Angoat (located in the Kashkari block) -- none of the others entered
production, the ministry noted.
"One of the primary objectives in this tender round is to initiate
production and processing of the known gas reserves to meet current and future
demands for energy and related products and activities. Early production of
oil is also a priority," the ministry said.
The ministry will conduct road shows in Kabul, Dubai, London, Calgary,
Houston and Singapore starting April 26, 2009 and interested companies have
until September 15, 2009 to submit their bids.
Companies interested in developing these blocks must have a market
capitalization of between $100-200 million and applicants bidding for the
Juma-Bashikurd and Jangalikalan blocks must have experience in producing sour
gas, it said. The applicant must also submit evidence of 1,000 barrels of oil
equivalent of operated daily production, it added.
--Mriganka Jaipuriyar, mriganka@platts.com