BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 19. Uzbekistan plans to import 2.8 billion cubic meters of Russian gas annually, with deliveries set to commence from October 1, 2023, Trend reports.
According to Uzbekistan's Ministry of Energy, the deal was signed between the country's UzGastrade JSC and Russia's Gazprom Export LLC for a two-year term, on the sidelines of the Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 16.
Under the agreement, Uzbekistan plans to import 9 million cubic meters of natural gas per day starting October 1. The total annual volume of the gas supply is projected to reach nearly 2.8 billion cubic meters, as reported by the ministry. The gas will be transported via the Central Asia–Center gas pipeline system.
The pricing of natural gas has been agreed upon based on regional market rates, prevailing prices in the country, and future reforms aimed at establishing market-based pricing conditions.
The ministry also stated that as part of the road map [signed on January 24, 2023, between Uzbekistan's Ministry of Energy and Gazprom], extensive work is planned in Uzbekistan's gas transportation system before September. This includes the replacement of three units and the major overhaul of eleven gas compressor units, along with the repair of 56 kilometers of gas pipelines and the construction of 22 kilometers of new trunk gas pipelines.
Meanwhile, on June 16, Kazakhstan's QazaqGaz national company and Gazprom signed an agreement on the transit of Russian natural gas to Uzbekistan via the territory of Kazakhstan.