President Shavkat Mirziyoyev orders Uzbekneftegaz to increase gas production

Uzbekneftegaz has been instructed to increase daily gas production from 66 million cubic meters to 70 million cubic meters and ensure the extraction of at least 25.4 billion cubic meters of gas this year. The instruction was given today, January 12, as President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on the company’s future tasks and plans.

During the presentation, it was emphasized that the key priority for Uzbekneftegaz is to expand natural gas reserves and increase production volumes. Officials were told that the company must raise daily gas output to 70 million cubic meters and achieve annual production of no less than 25.4 billion cubic meters.

Proposals aimed at mobilizing existing capacities were also reviewed.

It was noted that increasing gas reserves requires the formation of new promising investment blocks, as well as accelerating work and improving efficiency in certain areas already allocated to investors.

The presentation highlighted that naphtha production is currently operating at only 70 percent of capacity, while the product is being exported at prices around 50 percent lower than potential value. Taking into account that processing naphtha into polymer products could increase added value sixfold, officials were instructed to take measures to ensure full utilization of existing capacities.

Measures to improve Uzbekneftegaz’s financial position were also discussed.

Special attention was paid to combating theft and corruption in the oil and gas sector.

To prevent corruption risks, the structure of Uzbekneftegaz has been expanded to include a separate deputy chairperson position, and a compliance and internal anti-corruption control service has been established. The task has been set to create an effective system for the rapid detection and prevention of any illegal activities within the company.

The President also issued instructions to deepen transformation in the oil and gas sector, increase gas reserves and production volumes, and strengthen financial discipline.