Kathmandu, August 3: The government has decided to expedite the petroleum exploration works in different parts in the country.

Based on the series of surveys conducted by Petroleum Exploration Promotion Project, Department of Mines and Geology, the government has recently signed a petroleum exploration agreement with two international companies.

According to Project Chief Rajendra Prasad Khanal, the government had last month signed agreements with the USA-based company BB Champion and the UAE based EABG Company for petroleum exploration.

As per the agreement, the exploration work shall take place at  Janakpur and Rajbiraj Block which is spread in 9,861 square kilometers of land and in Biratnagar Block  spread in 4,969 square kilometer of land.

They are given four years for preliminary study. The government has already given licenses to international companies for exploration works in all 10 Blocks selected for petroleum exploration.