"We have a very good level of cooperation with Tajikistan, and Gazprom has earmarked $7 million for prospecting in the republic in 2006, and another $12 million for 2007," Deputy CEO Alexander Ryazanov told reporters following the meeting.
"In the coming days, we will receive a license for the exploration and development of four deposits in the country," he said.
Gazprom will be licensed to develop Sarikamysh, 35 kilometers (22 miles) west of the capital, Dushanbe, which has 40 billion cubic meters in recoverable reserves, Rengan, 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Dushanbe, with 40 billion cubic meters in reserves, Shaambary, 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of Dushanbe, and Sargazon, in southern Tajikistan, with reserves estimated at 30 billion cubic meters.
"We hope to find both natural gas and oil in Tajikistan," said Ryazanov.
During a visit to the republic in March 2006, Gazprom Chief Executive Alexei Miller signed a memorandum of intention to set up a joint venture in the oil and gas sector, with a controlling stake to be held by the Russian energy giant.
Cooperation in hydroelectric power engineering was also high on the agenda during Ryazanov's talks with the Tajik leader Friday.
"Gazprom and the Canadian [engineering and construction] firm [SNC] Lavalin are completing a feasibility study for the construction of three hydroelectric power plants, with an aggregate generating capacity of 600 megawatts, on the Zerafshan River, in the country's north," Ryazanov said.
"When the study is ready, we will make a decision as to the amount of investment in the project, which could cost a total of $400 million."
He said the hydroelectric power industry "is developing rapidly in Tajikistan, and some of [Tajik] electricity could be supplied to Russia."
