Ashgabat (TDI): Uzbekistan has decided to increase natural gas imports from Turkmenistan, a move driven by the former’s mounting energy needs and the latter’s eagerness to find new buyers.
However, details regarding the volume and pricing of the additional supply remain undisclosed.
The decision followed a phone conversation on December 5 between Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, chairman of Turkmenistan’s Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) and the country’s de facto leader, according to The Times of Central Asia.
Turkmen state media confirmed the agreement, hinting at Turkmenistan’s relief in securing a larger market for its vast gas reserves.
Turkmenistan’s Gas Abundance
Turkmenistan boasts the fourth-largest natural gas reserves globally, with an estimated 17.5 trillion cubic meters.
China is Turkmenistan’s largest customer, importing around 35 billion cubic meters (bcm) annually, while Uzbekistan has been purchasing 1.5–2 bcm in recent years.
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Azerbaijan also imports a small volume, about 1–1.5 bcm annually, through a swap arrangement via Iran.
Uzbekistan’s Growing Energy Needs
Uzbekistan’s domestic gas production has been unable to keep pace with its growing consumption.
The country produced 51.7 bcm of gas in 2022, but output dropped to 46.7 bcm in 2023 and is projected to decline further in 2024.
The shortfall has forced Uzbekistan to rely increasingly on imports.
Its first contract for Turkmen gas was signed in December 2022 for 1.5 bcm annually, later increased to 2 bcm in August 2023.
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However, this volume has proven insufficient to meet rising demand.
Uzbekistan also signed a two-year deal in June 2023 to import up to 2.8 bcm of gas from Russia, with plans to boost these imports to 11 bcm annually starting in 2026.
