TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 4. Uzbekistan plans to increase the supply of crude oil from Russia to 1 million tons through the territory of Kazakhstan in 2024, Trend reports.
The corresponding document was signed in Moscow between the First Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Pavel Sorokin, the First Deputy Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan Azim Akhmedkhadzhayev and the Vice Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Erlan Akkenzhenov.
The agreement pays special attention to ensuring the priority mode of transportation through the Omsk-Pavlodar-Shymkent-Shagyr oil pipeline.
The arrangement encompasses provisions for facilitating the execution of commercial contracts aimed at increasing crude oil supply to 1 million tons in 2024 and beyond, on a long-term basis. The parties have also reached a consensus on a mutually acceptable pricing structure for both crude oil and its transportation, considering the anticipated rise in supply volumes.
This accord presupposes the swift realization of the understanding among the three countries and the development of pipeline-based oil transportation, taking into consideration the reduced costs associated with pipeline transport in comparison to rail deliveries.
Furthermore, the document will contribute to the enhancement of Uzbekistan's oil pipeline infrastructure in border regions, ultimately resulting in an increase in the production of gasoline and other petroleum products within Uzbekistan.
This arrangement will also serve to expand Uzbekistan's network of gas stations, ensuring a consistent supply of Russian crude oil. This, in turn, will support the modernization of refineries and the establishment of new industries with high added value.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan plans to import more than 1 million tons of oil and petroleum products by the end of 2023.
Uzbekistan has produced 584,500 tons of oil from January through September 2023.
As per Uzbekistan’s State Statistics Committee, the recorded number reflects a 0.6 percent, or 3,400 tons, decrease compared to the same period last year, when Uzbekistan produced 587,900 tons of oil.