PESHAWAR - Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Barrister Masood Kausar was given a presentation on the Source Rock Mapping and Investigation of Hydrocarbon Potential (SRMIHP) in Fata here on Sunday. The governor directed that the impediments in the implementation process must be removed to take forward the practical work on the oil and gas exploration in Fata and adjoining areas. We want to see a productive and meaningful headway under the project as being vital for the economic development of the country and Fata, the governor said during his observation on the achievements update under the project. Project Coordinator Fazali Rabbi Khan in his presentation held here at Governors House said that initiated in 2008 under an agreement between the FDA and National Centre of Excellence in Geology Peshawar University after formal approval, the project costs Rs 39.852 million, to be completed by June 2012. The projects objectives include identifying hydrocarbon generating rocks and its spatial distribution in the region, preparing a geo-database regarding hydrocarbon potential and generating a systematic data and attract oil and gas companies for exploration in the area. He said that the basic objectives of the project had been achieved by preparing geo-database, identifying target areas and attracting oil and gas companies to come in for exploration. The Governor emphasized the need to ascertain the main reasons to know as to why the work could not be started despite the interest shown by different companies. We must identify the areas where efforts are needed to ensure initiation of work, the governor stressed and said that the difficulties would be sorted out in consultation with the respective companies. He said that although the security was the main concern yet it could be managed keeping in view the significance and importance of the project. He said that oil and gas exploration in Fata would not only help overcome the energy crisis but would also give a boost to efforts for the socio-economic development of Fata and its people. The governor appreciated the achievements under the project and stressed that the end result should be meaningful and encouraging. It was told during the presentation that 16 oil and gas companies have so far come to initiate exploration work in targeted areas in Fata and adjoining districts including Khyber Agency, Orakzai Agency, North Waziristan, FR Peshawar, FR Kohat, South Waziristan, FR Bannu, FR Tank, FR DI Khan. The presentation was attended among others by the Chief Executive FDA Zubair Asghar Qureshi, Mazhar Ali Khan GM Minerals Fata, Additional Secretary to Governor Daud Khan and Geologists and Research Fellows of the Project.