TASHKENT

Uzbekistan will increase natural gas production by 4 percent to 56.3 billion cubic metres (bcm) this year against 53.8 bcm in 2021, the Energy Ministry press service said.

The country also plans to increase the production of liquefied gas to 832,000 tonnes from 645,000 tonnes in 2021, using the capacities of the plants of the state-owned Uzbekneftegaz company, the ministry said.

Uzbekistan will achieve the targets by drilling and putting into operation 105 new wells, also 594 wells will be overhauled and intensified, 27 technological facilities will be built and put into operation, according to the ministry.

Uzbekneftegaz has produced more than 2.8 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas in January this year, 1.8 percent up from a year earlier. The company has also increased the production of crude oil by 2 percent year-on-year to 9,400 tonnes. Uzbekneftegaz has produced 33.9 bcm of gas and 116,100 tonnes of oil in 2021.

Uzbekistan’s gas transportation company Uztransgaz will overhaul and reconstruct over 67 kilometres of main gas pipelines and gas-pumping units at compressor stations, as well as overhaul, reconstruct and rebuild 17 gas distribution stations this year.

Another state company in charge of gas supplies, Hududgaztaminot, will overhaul and reconstruct around 223 km of gas networks, and implement projects to develop the infrastructure for the supply of liquefied gas.

Uzbekistan, which faces gas and electricity shortages in winter seasons, has been reforming its energy sector since 2019 to increase efficiency and attract foreign investments.

In December last year, Uzbekistan’s Energy Ministry said that introducing market relations in the energy sector would create conditions for competition, which would make it possible to increase the efficiency of production, transportation, processing, and to ensure uninterrupted supply of natural gas to consumers.

According to the country’s energy concept, Uzbekistan plans to produce up to 66.1 bcm of gas by 2030, while gas consumption by domestic customers is expected to reach 56.5 bcm.

The concept prioritises deep processing of natural gas to produce added-value products rather than exporting it as a raw material.