Uzbekistan to end state monopoly on liquefied gas supply

Uzbekistan plans to hand over liquefied gas supply across the country to the private sector in 2027. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the plan during an open dialogue with investors in the fuel and energy sector. Currently, 3.8 million households in the country use liquefied gas. The supply system, previously a state monopoly, is gradually introducing market mechanisms.

A pilot project involving entrepreneurs has started in Andijan region, and the practice is set to be expanded nationwide next year. The president said continuity of gas supply, safety and service quality will be the key criteria.

The meeting also covered expanding oil and gas exploration. Exploration is under way with Socar of Azerbaijan and British Petroleum of the United Kingdom in six investment blocks in the Ustyurt region. A further 128 blocks have been prepared in other areas for foreign investors; preliminary estimates put their resources at 5.8 trillion cubic meters of gas and 560 million tonnes of liquid hydrocarbons.