Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekneftegaz has significantly expanded geological exploration and accelerated seismic surveys to search for new fields, study the subsoil in greater depth and increase hydrocarbon reserves, the company’s press service said.
This year, the company has substantially increased the annual volume of seismic exploration to accelerate geological exploration and expand the hydrocarbon resource base. By the end of the year, 11,902 square kilometers of 3D and 1,835 linear kilometers of 2D seismic surveys are planned. This is one of the largest annual plans in the industry’s history.
Results for January-August show a significant increase in the pace of work. During the reporting period, 3D seismic surveys were conducted over an area of 6,220 square kilometers. This figure is almost 5.7 times higher than the result for the same period in 2025, when surveys covered 1,083 square kilometers.
Based on 3D and 2D seismic surveys, work over the eight-month period was carried out across a total area of 6,216 square kilometers and over a distance of 317.3 linear kilometers. The established plan was fulfilled by 100.1%, compared with 27.7% for the same period last year.
The high pace of seismic surveys is contributing to the expansion of areas covered by geological exploration.
At the beginning of the year, work was carried out on three projects: Jambuloq 3D, Niyaz 3D and Karaulbazar 3D. The number of active projects has now reached eight: Karaumbet 3D, Alambek 3D, Tashkurgan–Dehkanabad 3D, Chembar 3D, Jambuloq 3D, Karaulbazar 3D, Tagman 3D and Aktumsuk 2D.
Field seismic work has been completed on several projects. Data obtained during field surveys under the Alambek 3D project, covering 381 square kilometers, and the Chembar 3D project, covering 1,500 square kilometers, have been transferred for processing and interpretation. Field seismic surveys are continuing under the Karaulbazar 3D, Tashkurgan–Dehkanabad 3D, Tagman 3D, Kogon 3D and Aktumsuk 2D projects.
Preparations are underway to begin field surveys under the Shokhpakhta 3D project by the end of September in order to identify new prospective structures. Seismic surveys under the Ravshan 3D project began on 15 September.
Seismic surveying is one of the key stages in studying the geological structure of the subsoil, identifying prospective zones and locating new areas where hydrocarbon deposits may be present. It provides a basis for subsequent drilling of exploration wells in new areas, discovering new fields and expanding production capacity.
Similar growth rates are planned for next year. In 2027, field seismic surveys are scheduled to continue, with the volume of work expected to maintain its growth rate compared with 2026.
The geological database is being expanded, while accumulated information is being digitized, processed and subjected to in-depth analysis, increasing opportunities to identify new prospective areas.
