Hidden jewels likely to lie offshore but warnings sounded that treasure chest may not be complete

Further seismic studies are required on more than half of the blocks because old seismic efforts were concentrated along the already producing offshore structures on the Cheleken Ridge and closer to the maritime border with Azerbaijan.

This seismic data dates back to the 1970s and 1980s and is of limited use, according to analysts.

According to Graham Milne, reservoir service manager at US company WesternGeco, three blocks 21, 22 and 23 that are shallow and close to the shore are the most promising at the momentbased on previous seismic studies.

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