Uzbekistan and Russia will start discussing the commercial terms of Russian gas supplies only after technical issues are resolved, Uzbek Energy Minister Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov said in an interview with the Energy Intelligence portal. He also noted that the supply of Uzbek gas to China is in accordance with the signed contracts, the Gazeta.uz portal reports.
“We are working within the framework of the road map, studying the possibilities of transit, and resolving technical issues. Once the technical issues are resolved, we will discuss commercial terms,” he said.
At the end of April, the minister announced that it is planned to supply gas from Russia to Uzbekistan through the main gas pipeline "Central Asia - Center" (CAC). According to him, the Bukhara-Ural gas pipeline running from Uzbekistan through Kazakhstan to Russia is not suitable because of its deterioration.
He noted that the parties are assessing the costs required for the installation and repair of compressor stations in order to supply gas in reverse (reverse) order.
When asked by Energy Intelligence if gas supplies to China were discussed during the visit of the Uzbek delegation to Beijing, the energy minister said: “We have contracts, and work is proceeding according to these contracts, as planned.”
In December 2022, Uzbekistan announced the suspension of gas supplies to China due to a shortage of this fuel in the domestic market. Deliveries resumed only in April. Following the meeting between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Chinese President Xi Jinping, it was noted that both sides will work together to ensure the stable operation of the China-Central Asia gas pipeline and supplies in accordance with the agreed plan.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
May 30, 2023