Uzbekneftegaz: new wells not yet offsetting Uzbekistan's gas output decline

Uzbekneftegaz, Uzbekistan's state gas producer, continues to see natural gas output fall from its large fields, where reserves at some facilities are more than 80% depleted. Chief geologist Nodir Muhiddinov told a press conference on 27 October that new wells have not yet offset the decline. The company extracted nearly 17 billion cubic metres in January–September 2026 and plans 22.8 billion for the year, down from 25.2 billion in 2025.

Daily base output at fields operating since the start of the year has dropped by 12.6 million cubic metres. Repairs and new wells have recovered part of this, but about 5 million cubic metres a day remains uncovered. Muhiddinov said daily output, around 65 million cubic metres at the start of the year, should return to that level by year-end. So far in 2026 the company has carried out repairs on 79 wells, and it plans compressor stations and additional drilling.