Uzbekistan, Tashkent, March 31 / Trend D. Azizov /
Uzbekneftegaz and Gazprom are going to discuss the contract for the transit of natural gas in 2011 - 2016 within a session of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation, a source in the government of the republic said.
According to the source, Uztransgaz (a structural unit of Uzbekneftegaz) and Gazprom have to prepare the contract for natural gas transit through Uzbekistan for signing by December 2010.
The contract is expected to be signed by late 2010.
Currently, transporting of natural gas through Uzbekistan are governed by the agreement signed between Gazprom and Uztransgaz in February 2005 over 2006 - 2010. The agreement envisages transportation of Central Asian, especially the Turkmen natural gas using gas transmission systems "Central Asia - Center" and "Bukhara-Ural", passing through Uzbekistan.
In December 2002 Uzbekneftegaz and Gazprom signed the agreement on strategic partnership in gas industry, envisaging the purchase of Uzbek gas to Russia in 2003-2012.
The agreement also provides for the participation of Gazprom in the field of natural gas production in Uzbekistan in terms of the PSA, as well as cooperation in the development of gas transportation infrastructure of Uzbekistan and transportation of Central Asian gas through the territory of the republic.
In 2009, Uzbekneftegaz exported 15.3 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Russia through Gazprom. In 2010 it is planned to export 15, 5 billion cubic meters.
Uzbekistan ranks second among CIS countries on natural gas extraction and holds the tenth place among the largest gas-producing countries.