Gazprom has entered into contracts with Kazakhstan to facilitate the transit of gas to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The agreements were formalized during a signing ceremony at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), TASS reported.
In addition to the transit contracts, Gazprom secured an agreement to supply gas to both the northern and southern regions of Kyrgyzstan. This move is part of Gazprom's broader strategy to enhance energy cooperation within Central Asia.
A notable component of the agreements is the action plan signed by Gazprom and Kazakhstan. This plan aims to prepare the Central Asia-Center pipeline system for increased transportation of Russian gas to Uzbekistan, aligning with Gazprom's long-term vision for energy distribution in the region.
The groundwork for these developments was laid in June 2023 when Uzbekistan signed a two-year gas purchase agreement with Gazprom. Under this agreement, Gazprom committed to a daily supply volume of 9 mn cubic meters, totaling nearly 2.8 bn cubic meters annually. Gas deliveries commenced on October 7, 2023.
Gazprom has ambitious plans to ramp up gas supplies to Central Asia. By November 1, 2025, the company aims to deliver significantly larger volumes via the Central Asia-Center pipeline. The strategy includes forming medium-term fifteen-year contracts with Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, highlighting Gazprom's commitment to a stable and long-term energy partnership in the region.
Further bolstering this commitment, Uzbekistan announced in February 2024 its intention to upgrade the nation's main gas system. This upgrade is expected to triple the country's gas import capacity from Russia, increasing from 9 mn to 32 mn cubic meters per day.
The SPIEF, held from June 5-8, 2024, is themed "The Formation of New Areas of Growth as the Cornerstone of a Multipolar World." The forum features a variety of events, including meetings for small and medium-sized businesses, creative industries, and several youth-focused initiatives.
Organized by the Roscongress Foundation, SPIEF 2024 continues to serve as a crucial platform for economic dialogue and partnership.
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