Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekneftegaz discovered five gas fields, drilled 80 wells and increased daily gas production by 4 million cubic metres through well repairs in the first nine months of 2026. The company’s exports reached US$736.7 million, while investment utilisation totalled US$790 million, its information service reported.
The newly discovered fields — Kiziljar, Shagirlik (Lower Jurassic), Telegr, Gulshanbog and Kaprin — have expanded the company’s resource base. Geological exploration was also carried out across 42 investment blocks. The area covered by 3D seismic surveys reached 7,430 square kilometres during the reporting period, five times the figure for the same period in 2025.
Commercial flows of gas and condensate were obtained at the Muynak, Kiziljar, Western Kuyi Surgil and Shagirlik–Lower Jurassic sites on the Ustyurt Plateau. Reserves are being assessed by DeGolyer and MacNaughton in accordance with international standards. Uzbekneftegaz plans to expand the area covered by 3D seismic surveys to 11,900 square kilometres by the end of the year.
To expand its drilling capacity, the company established a specialised enterprise, UNG Burgilash LLC. It is purchasing 15 Chinese-made drilling rigs capable of operating at depths of up to 9,000 metres. The project is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs for engineers, drillers and technical specialists.
As part of efforts to modernise geological exploration, Uzbekneftegaz also plans to purchase two 3D seismic survey systems from US company INOVA for a total of US$38 million, along with downhole equipment, logging units and geological and technological research stations.
Well repairs also contributed to higher production. Over the nine-month period, the company repaired 114 wells, including 35 that underwent major overhauls. As a result, daily gas production increased by 4 million cubic metres. Since the beginning of October, output has risen by a further 1.6 million cubic metres per day.
To maintain stable production, the company is purchasing 35 small compressors worth US$78.5 million. Seven have already been delivered.
Uzbekneftegaz also plans to introduce directional and horizontal drilling in cooperation with international partners. Preliminary estimates suggest that gas production from such wells could be 50–60% higher than from conventional vertical wells.
Industrial output totalled 41.8 trillion soums in January–September, equivalent to 105.7% of the target. The company produced 773,500 tonnes of motor petrol, 759,700 tonnes of diesel fuel, 210,600 tonnes of aviation kerosene and 452,700 tonnes of liquefied gas. It also produced 135,100 tonnes of sulphur and 101,300 tonnes of polyethylene granules.
Future plans include launching production of synthetic oil, refined paraffin and linear alkylbenzene, a raw material used in household chemicals and synthetic detergents. The company estimates that these products will help replace some imports and expand export opportunities.
In preparation for winter, petrol stocks at oil depots were increased 2.5 times compared with the same period last year. The oil depot network recorded a net profit of 25 billion soums over the first nine months. An additional 270 billion soums in revenue was generated by recovering petroleum product storage costs from the relevant organisations.
The company also reported savings of 1.9 trillion soums and payments of 6.9 trillion soums to the state budget.
The export target was met at 151%, while investment utilisation reached 100.1% of the plan. Under the localisation programme, output totalled 17.3 trillion soums, or 139.4% of the target.
Uzbekneftegaz also reported measures to reduce its debt burden. Following refinancing and early repayment of 41 of its 69 loan agreements, the company saved US$18 million in interest expenses. The next stage will involve refinancing loans worth US$1.1 billion backed by state guarantees.
At the same time, the company is raising wages and improving working conditions. Employees’ salaries increased by 21% over the first nine months.
Dormitories with capacities of 160 and 130 people have been commissioned at Ustyurt and Shurtan, respectively. The company has also arranged free hot meals for employees and purchased 52 specialised off-road vehicles and 58 buses to transport workers.
