Uzbekistan aims to halt the sharp decline in hydrocarbon production in 2026 by bringing new fields into operation, Energy Minister Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov said on December 11 during a session of the Legislative Chamber of the Uzbek parliament, Gazeta.uz reports.
According to the minister, the sector faces objective challenges due to the high level of resource depletion: about 85% of existing fields are experiencing declining reservoir pressure and reduced production. In response, geological exploration activities have been intensified in promising regions on the instruction of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
In particular, a new gas field has been discovered in the Muynak district of Karakalpakstan’s Ustyurt region and has already been connected to the national system. The commissioning of two wells has made it possible to increase gas production by around 3 million cubic meters per day. An additional seven wells are expected to be drilled by the end of the year, along with the completion of supporting infrastructure. At the same time, Uzbekneftegaz continues its own projects and is expanding cooperation with Azerbaijan’s SOCAR in exploration activities.
A key development is the Muynak field, where the Muynak-2 well was brought online in November, becoming the most productive well in the country. Around 100 million cubic meters of gas were produced from one well during the first two months of operation. Four more promising sites have also been identified in the area, where drilling is nearing completion.
To ensure stable production, infrastructure for gas gathering and processing is being developed. A gas gathering station designed for 12 wells has already been built, and construction is underway on a 34-kilometer pipeline linking the Muynak field to the Arslon gas processing complex.
According to sector estimates, Uzbekistan’s proven natural gas reserves stood at about 1.97 trillion cubic meters at the end of 2024, though production has declined in recent years. Against this backdrop, the country continues to import gas from Russia and Turkmenistan while increasing exports, mainly to China.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
December 15, 2025