Once the deal is finally ratified, the consortium will be able to prospect for and extract the estimated 11 billion tons of oil and 5.5 billion cubic metres of gas believed to be in the area. The draft deal was signed between Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov and Itera Corp head Igor Makarov.
The Zarit consortium is made up of Itera, Rosneft and Zarubehzneft.