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    Uzbekistan's natural gas output drops by 4.1bn cubic meters

    Uzbekistan's natural gas output drops by 4.1bn cubic meters

    In the first ten months of this year, Uzbekistan witnessed a decline in natural gas production, with a reported decrease of 4.1bn cubic meters compared to the same period in the previous year, according to statistics from the national agency. The total volume of gas extracted during this period amounted to 38.9bn cubic meters, down from 43bn cubic meters recorded in the corresponding period of 2022, as per the Statistics Agency.

    Photo: The total volume of gas extracted during this period amounted to 38.9bn cubic meters, down from 43bn cubic meters recorded in the corresponding period of 2022
    Source: Uzbekneftegaz

    Notably, the figures presented earlier by the agency indicated that by the end of 2022, Uzbekistan had produced 51.6bn cubic meters of natural gas, reflecting a decrease of 2.2bn cubic meters compared to the 53.8bn cubic meters produced in 2021.

    In response to concerns about declining production, Behzod Usmanov, the deputy chairman of "Uzbekneftgaz," stated in exclusive interview with Daryo in August that the country still has substantial gas reserves. He attributed any perceived shortage to the growing population and emphasized ongoing efforts to address the situation. These efforts include the drilling of new mines and wells, with plans to open several new mines in the same year.

    "We still have a lot of gas. Gas production has not decreased. The current shortage of produced gas is due to the growing population. People are increasing, and production capacity is also increasing. That is, the demand for energy is very high. It is true that production is declining in our main and largest mines. Additional measures are being taken to prevent this. In particular, new mines and wells are being drilled. Several new mines are planned to be opened this year," said the deputy chairman.

    Uzbekistan boasts 287 gas fields, with 123 under the ownership of Uzbekneftgaz. The country's total gas reserves stand at 1.8 trillion cubic meters, half of which, or 900 bn cubic meters, are in the fields of Uzbekneftgaz.

    Photo: In 10 months of this year, 38.9 bn cubic meters of natural gas were extracted in the republic. For comparison, in the corresponding period of 2022, this figure was 43 bn cubic meters.
    Source: Statistics Agency

    To meet its gas needs, Uzbekistan signed a contract on June 16 to import gas from Russia, marking a significant development. The agreement entails the daily import of 9 mn cubic meters of natural gas, with an annual import volume expected to reach 2.8 bn cubic meters.

    In response to inquiries about the rationale behind the Russian gas import, the Ministry of Energy clarified that the purchased gas would cover the deficit in Uzbekistan's winter needs. However, specific details about the quantity and cost of the Russian gas remain undisclosed, with Energy Minister Jorabek Mirzamahmudov emphasizing that the price determination is based on national interests.

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