Afghanistan increases oil production

Eight new oil wells have been opened in Afghanistan. The Taliban aims to reduce dependence on neighboring countries for oil supplies.

On November 28, 2023, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar, leading an official delegation, inaugurated eight new oil wells in the Sari Pul region of the Amu Darya basin. This event is intended to strengthen the country’s economy and reduce dependence on oil imports.

According to the Economic Affairs Office of the Afghan Supreme Council, more than 350 Chinese and Afghan engineers, as well as 550 workers, are currently actively engaged in this area. Cooperation with Chinese companies allows Afghanistan to utilize world-class experience and technology in oil extraction and processing.

Afghan experts note that the opening of new oil wells could significantly reduce Afghanistan’s dependence on neighboring countries for petroleum supplies.

On November 26 of this year, the Taliban government reported that the National Standardization Authority of Afghanistan had rejected 130 oil tankers carrying Iranian fuel due to poor quality.

Previously, the Taliban also sent back dozens of fuel trucks from Iran, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan, citing poor fuel quality.

The Amu Darya oil basin has long been known in the region as rich in oil reserves. For many years, Uzbekistan has produced a significant portion of its oil using the oil and gas wells of this basin.

Oil extraction in Afghanistan is carried out in cooperation with Chinese companies. Previously, the Taliban also collaborated with Chinese companies on petroleum product processing within Afghanistan.

Even before the start of oil extraction from these wells, the Taliban began cooperation with some Chinese companies on petroleum product processing in Afghanistan.