Uzbekneftegaz and Chinese XIBU Sign Strategic Agreement to Drill 30 Wells

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — JSC Uzbekneftegaz has signed a strategic agreement with Chinese company XIBU to drill 30 wells in Uzbekistan during 2026–2027, the press service of the Uzbek company reported.

The agreement marks the first stage of a long-term cooperation plan, which foresees the drilling of 105 exploration and production wells in the country between 2026 and 2029.

The deal was concluded during the official visit of Abdugani Sanginov, Chairman of the Board of Uzbekneftegaz, to China, where negotiations were also held with leading oil and gas companies. XIBU, part of the CNPC corporation and one of the four largest oil and gas companies in the world, will carry out drilling operations using 10 rigs with a lifting capacity of 450 tons each.

The new wells will be located in promising areas with identified natural gas reserves based on seismic surveys and will be drilled to depths of 5,500–6,000 meters. Existing wells face challenging geological conditions, with pressures up to 1,000 atmospheres and temperatures reaching 200°C.

The project is strategically important for enhancing drilling safety in complex conditions, preventing accidents, expanding geological exploration, increasing gas reserves, and strengthening Uzbekistan’s energy security.