Uzbekistan and CNPC Sign Memorandum on Construction of New Underground Gas Storage Facility

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan and the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) have signed a memorandum of cooperation for the construction of a new underground gas storage facility.

According to the ministry’s press service, the facility is planned to be located at the Korabayir field in the Kasan district of Kashkadarya region. Preliminary geological studies identified the 12th horizon of the field as optimal for establishing the gas storage.

The new facility is expected to hold up to 1.5 billion cubic meters of active natural gas, a capacity considered strategically important for ensuring stable energy supply and mitigating seasonal consumption fluctuations in the country.

In January 2024, the President of Uzbekistan had already discussed with CNPC leadership the construction of underground gas storage facilities, modernization of the gas transportation system, and the introduction of advanced drilling technologies. The parties revisited the project details in September this year.

Currently, Uzbekistan operates two underground gas storage facilities: Gazli in the Romitan district of Bukhara region and Khojaabad in Andijan region. The capacity of Gazli, owned by Gazli Gas Storage linked to entrepreneur Bakhtiyor Fazylov, was increased from 3 to 4.5 billion cubic meters, with plans to reach 6 billion cubic meters by 2025. Khojaabad currently holds 900 million cubic meters, with plans to expand to 1.05 billion cubic meters.

Additionally, Uzbekistan has discussed with Kyrgyzstan the potential revival of the North-Sokh gas storage in the Sokh district of Fergana region, which has been non-operational since May 2011. Its capacity ranges from 2.5 to 3 billion cubic meters.

The new Korabayir project represents another strategic step in strengthening Uzbekistan’s energy security.