Kazakhstan preparing to modernize Central Asia-Center pipeline to boost gas transit to Uzbekistan
ASTANA. Oct 14 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan is preparing to modernize the Central Asia-Center gas pipeline system to boost gas transit to Uzbekistan, Sanjar Zharkeshov, CEO of national gas company QazaqGaz, said at a meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The president heard a report on QazaqGaz's performance over the past nine months, his press service said.
"The modernization of the Central Asia-Center gas pipeline system is underway to increase gas transit to Uzbekistan," it said.
Zharkeshov also announced the completion of the second line of the Almaty-Baiserk-Talgar gas pipeline and the related gas infrastructure for Almaty's TPP-2 and TPP-3 power plants.
Moreover, in light of the "rapid growth in commercial gas consumption within Kazakhstan's economy," foreign investment has been attracted to geological exploration projects in the gas sector. Notably, an agreement was signed with Chevron for geological exploration in the Aktobe region, featuring 100% carry financing conditions.
Supplies of Russian natural gas to Uzbek consumers via Kazakhstan began in October 2023. The supplies were set up in reverse flow via a specially designated route based on the Central Asia-Center gas pipeline system. Gazprom and the Kazakh government signed an agreement on strategic cooperation in November 2023 to further develop cooperation in gas supply, transportation and processing, as well as exploration and production.
Gazprom and QazaqGaz signed agreements in June 2024 to provide services to transport Russian gas through Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan from 2025 to 2040. Gazprom and Kazakhstan's government signed an Action Plan on preparing the facilities of the Central Asia-Center-IV trunk gas pipeline to boost Russian gas transportation to Uzbekistan.
Kazakh First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar said at the St. Petersburg International Gas Forum that Kazakhstan would promptly approve capital spending and meet its commitments to improve Russian gas transit to Uzbekistan.