UZEX trades 103,000 tonnes of liquefied gas in past period of 2011

Stable situation at national exchange market of liquefied gas positively impacted to general price trends. Since the beginning of 2011, the cost of one tonne of liquefied gas was between 920,000 soums to 1.1 million soums. At the same time, there was no price hikes.

According to the UZEX, monthly average sales volume made up 19,000 tonnes a month compared to 17,800 tonnes in 2010.

Largest liquefied natural gas producers in Uzbekistan are Shortan Gas-Chemical Complex, Shortanneftegaz and Shortan Gaz Mahsulot. Their total share in sales of UZEX currently makes up over 80%.

Share of Shortan Gas-Chemical Complex, leader of exchange sales in this segment, makes up in average 43%. The enterprise holds the first place for several years. Shortanneftegaz’s share is in average 33%. Shortan Gaz Mahsulot started to sell its products through UZEX from April 2010. Currently, its share makes up 16% and holds third place.

In February 2011, Shortan Gaz Mahsulot put the first party of liquefied gas to hard currency platform of UZEX. The party was sold for US$530 per tonne. In May 2011, the price for one tonnes of liquefied gas jumped to US$569 at UZEX hard currency platform, or grew by 7% compared to February. According to traders, main buyers of liquefied gas at UZEX are trade companies from Iran and Afghanistan.

In 2010, total volume of offered liquefied gas (propane-butane) at UZEX grew up to 233,000 tonnes against 195,000 tonnes in 2009.

In 2012, Uzbekneftegaz is considering to increase production of liquefied natural gas 2.8 times to 586,900 tonnes. It is planned to attract US$320 million loans to construct new facilities for liquefied gas production and reconstruct existing ones. The growth of liquefied gas production will be achieved at Mubarek Gas Processing Plant and Shortanneftegaz.

Besides, there are also several projects on increasing liquefied gas production, including modernization of gas fractionation system at Ferghana Oil Processing Plant and Bukhara Oil Processing Plant, as well as utilization of associated gas at Kokudumalak field.