Shargh writes that in spite of objections from the Department of Environment, the study phase for the deep well project in Sistan and Baluchistan Province is to start in the beginning of the next Iranian Year and is to be carried out over a three month period. The Mostazafan Foundation has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Energy and the Planning and Budget Organization will provide 250 billion IRR financing to experiment by using oil drilling technology to dig 1500 to 2000 meter wells in this province. If the quality of the water is desirable, the study can lead to the extraction of deep water. Due to the unknown environmental consequences, the Department of Environment is severely opposed to the project and has announced that it has yet to receive any request for drilling permits.
