The Dominican Republic has invited Russian gas giant Gazprom to carry out geological exploration for oil and gas on the Dominican shelf in a bid to cover the nation's energy shortage, Gazprom said on Tuesday, Feb 14.

The Caribbean republic faces an electricity shortfall of 2,000-2,300 megawatts and is highly dependent on hydrocarbon imports. The government is working out a new energy strategy that provides for geological exploration of the nation's hydrocarbon deposits and establishment of electricity supply and distribution systems.

"We would like to see (Gazprom) in the Dominican Republic. We are ready to do whatever is necessary to guarantee normal work here and protection of your investment," Dominican National Energy Commission President Enrique Ramirez was quoted in the company's statement as saying, RIA Novosti reported.