The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum Shahabuddin Delawar and other senior officials of the Islamic Emirate.

Speaking at the ceremony, Delawar said that after the oil wells become active, Afghanistan will earn approximately $500 million in income annually from the Amu oil field.

“Within three months, in the near future, the extraction of oil will increased up to 2,000 to 3,000 cubic meters,” he said.

“$500 million dollars will be pouring into the budget of Afghanistan from this Amu Darya oil field,” Delwar said.  

“In general, 17 oil wells are being extracted. It used to be less than 200 cubic meters but it has now increased to 800 cubic meters,” said an official of the Afg-China company.

He welcomed the inauguration of this crucial project in Sar-e-Pul province, foreseeing immediate benefits for its residents.

“The needs of the province and welfare services should be first provided to this province [Sar-e Pul]. The Islamic Emirate has many other economic projects as well,” he said.

According to officials of the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, another five oil wells are expected to be opened in the near future.

(This article was first published by ToloNews, Afghanistan)