Gazprom supplies to Uzbekistan to begin in Oct with small volumes, but they can be increased - Putin
SOCHI. Oct 5 (Interfax) - The supply of Russian gas to Central Asia, which is expected to begin this month, may be increased in the future, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a session of the Valdai Discussion Club.
"We have never supplied gas from Russia to Central Asia. In Soviet times, everything was different, supplies from Central Asia went via two pipeline systems. But now, with regard for the increased needs of the economy [and] the increased needs of our friends from Central Asia and climate change, this year it was minus 24 in Tashkent, no one ever remembers such things. It's just incredible, but it happened, and it means it can happen again. We were asked to think about starting the supply of Russian gas to these countries, without which it's difficult, we understand," he said.
"We have considered it. Our Kazakh friends implemented a plan to refurbish their part of the pipeline system, the same was done on the territory of Uzbekistan, and Gazprom [MOEX: GAZP] was supposed to do it on the territory of Russia, including to realign some technical capabilities," Putin said.
"We will do it. It's already been done in technical terms. Full-fledged supplies will begin in October. Currently in small volumes, but it's critical for the Kazakh economy and the for Uzbek economy as well. We will supply three billion cubic meters a year, and then we can increase it," the Russian president said.
Uzbek Energy Minister Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov and Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller signed the two-year deal between UzGasTrade and Gazprom Export LLC, the Uzbek Energy Ministry's press office said in June.
The export of Russian gas to Uzbekistan through Kazakh territory is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023. The two-year contract between UzGasTrade and Gazprom Export LLC envisages the supply of nine million cubic meters a day, almost 2.8 billion cubic meters a year.
Uzbekistan 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.
At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2023, Gazprom also signed a contract with Kazakhstan's QazaqGaz to provide services for transporting Russian natural gas through Kazakh territory for Uzbek consumers.