Uzbekistan to receive 2.8 bcm of gas from Russia annually under two-year deal

TASHKENT June 19 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan has signed an agreement with Russia's Gazprom Export to buy 9 million cubic meters of gas per day or nearly 2.8 billion cubic meters per year over a period of two years, the Uzbek Energy Ministry's press office said.

Uzbek Energy Minister Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov and Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller signed the two-year deal between UzGaztrade JSC and Gazprom Export LLC, the ministry said on Telegram.

This an entirely commercial agreement and is one of the measures that will partially satisfy growing yearly demand for natural gas in the republic and get it through the autumn-winter season without disruption.

Gas supplies of 9 mcm per day are due to begin in October 1.

"The price of the gas will be based on market prices in the region, current prices in the country, as well as planned market-based pricing reforms," the Uzbek ministry said.

It said an approved road map provided for the construction of new gas metering stations on Uzbekistan's territory for gas supplies in reverse mode for transit through Kazakhstan via the Central Asia-Center pipeline.

Uzbekistan itself plans to replace three units of gas pumping equipment and to overhaul and renovate 11 units of gas pumping equipment, as well build 22 km of new trunk lines and repair 56 km of gas pipelines.

Gazprom has said the launch of Russian gas exports to Uzbekistan through the territory of Kazakhstan is planned for the fourth quarter of 2023. A contract on the transportation of Russian natural gas for Uzbekistan was signed during the St. Petersburg Economic Forum on June 16.