A formal ceremony marking the launch of exploration and production at the Tuti-Maidan natural gas field took place in northern Afghanistan, signaling the start of major energy cooperation between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban-led government, according to Asiaplus.tj.
High-ranking officials from both sides attended the event. Uzbekistan was represented by the President’s Special Envoy to Afghanistan, Ismatulla Irgashev; Chairman of “Uzbekneftegaz,” Bahodir Sidikov; and Deputy Minister of Energy, Bakhtiyor Mamatkarimov.
The Afghan delegation included Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, and Hedayatullah Badri, Minister of Mining and Petroleum.
In his address, Abdul Ghani Baradar emphasized that the project launch demonstrates Afghanistan’s readiness to attract foreign investment. He stated the initiative will help reduce the country’s dependence on imported energy, create thousands of new jobs, curb currency outflow, and lay the groundwork for future natural gas exports.
The project will be implemented by the joint Uzbek-Afghan venture Eriell KAM, with Uzbek company Eriellcom serving as operator. In October 2024, Eriellcom signed an initial one-year contract valued at $100 million. According to Tolonews, the overarching agreement with the consortium “AERL Group and KAM Energy Company” spans 25 years.
Located across the provinces of Jowzjan and Faryab, the Tuti-Maidan field covers approximately 7,000 square kilometers. Its estimated reserves stand at a staggering 3 trillion cubic meters of natural gas. Total investment in the project is projected at $1 billion, to be deployed over the first decade.
This landmark initiative ushers in a new chapter for regional energy dynamics and could prove pivotal in advancing Afghanistan’s energy independence while strengthening economic ties across Central Asia.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
Sept. 16, 2025