Gas Field Development in Afghanistan Launched with Participation of Uzbek Company

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Development of the Tuti-Maidan gas field in Afghanistan has officially begun with the involvement of an Uzbek company, according to the press service of acting Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund. The field is located in Jowzjan and Faryab provinces in northern Afghanistan.

According to TOLO News and Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, a 25-year contract for the project was signed with the international company KAM Group and the Uzbek company Railcom. Reports suggest that Eriell, a company previously mentioned by Uzbek representatives, may also be a partner of KAM Group. The Eriell KAM logo was visible during Baradar’s remarks.

The project launch ceremony was held on 14 September in Balkh province. It was attended by Abdul Ghani Baradar, First Deputy Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Mamatkarimov, Chairman of Uzbekneftegaz Bakhodirjon Sidikov, the President’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Ismatulla Irgashev, and other officials.

Baradar emphasized that the project signals Afghanistan’s readiness for investment, will reduce the country’s dependence on imported gas and electricity, cut foreign currency outflows, and create conditions for future gas exports.

Acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum Khidayatullah Badri noted that recent agreements with Uzbekistan strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries. Special Presidential Representative Ismatulla Irgashev reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to supporting major economic projects in Afghanistan, stressing that this initiative could serve as a model of economic partnership, raising bilateral relations to a new level.

Contractor representatives assured that the development will follow international standards. Mohammad Gul Helmi, Senior Advisor to KAM Group, and First Deputy Energy Minister of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Mamatkarimov confirmed that advanced technologies would be applied while fully observing environmental requirements.

According to the Afghan ministry, the Tuti-Maidan field covers 7,500 square kilometers. Around 30 wells have already been drilled, and the field is estimated to contain significant reserves of natural gas amounting to 3 trillion cubic meters.

Last October, Ismatulla Irgashev announced that Eriell KAM had signed a contract to develop the field, with annual investments of US$100 million from Uzbekistan over a 25-year period. In the first two years, the extracted gas will be used to generate 100 MW of electricity. Gas processing facilities are also planned within the project site.

Irgashev added that engineers are studying the restoration of eight old wells, with several billion cubic meters of gas expected to be extracted in the first two years. By the end of the first decade, Uzbekistan’s total investment in the project will reach US$1 billion.