The US company Direct Petroleum is planning to invest USD 40mn in exploring a natural gas deposit near the northern village of Deventsi in the district of Pleven. The company has invested 25% of the amount in research activities, which have continued 7 years and have shown promising quantities of natural gas and oil presence. It is expected that extraction works will continue 10 years. Some 100 new jobs have been opened so far and more are expected. Four months ago, Direct Petroleum received another research licence in the same region near the village of Aglen . Direct Petroleum Exploration owns Anschultz Bulgaria , whish is a subsidiary of the US-owned Anschultz Overseas Corporation engaged in oil and gas research in the northern region of Lovech.