Exxon theory Here is a theory - they have lost interest because they have interest in Tajikistan.
AGI) Kabul, 1 Oct - ExxonMobil, the world's biggest oil company, seems to be losing interest in Afghanistan. The day after the Afghan government ratified a law aimed at attracting new investment, Exxon still had not visited an oil area near Mazar-e-Sharif, on the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan, for which it was asked to tender with eight other companies. The Minister of Mining Activities, Wahidullah Shahrani, said he hoped the company would carry out a quick inspection of the area, adding however that this wasn't obligatory. In July, the company had expressed interest in the basin extending along the Tajik-Afghan border, which contains an estimated 1.9 billion barrels of crude oil. The minister said that with the closing date of the tender due in October, the companies selected were invited to inspect the area and meet the leaders of local communities. This invitation expired on 30 September and was generally accepted. . .