Uzbekistan and Russia are still discussing the transit of Russian gas to Uzbekistan through Kazakhstan, announced the Minister of Energy Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov told the Energy Intelligence.
“We are working within the road map, studying the possibilities of transit, and resolving technical aspects. As soon as the technical issues are resolved, we will discuss commercial terms,” he said.
At the end of April, the minister said that it was planned to supply gas from Russia to Uzbekistan through the Central Asia-Center (CAC) gas pipeline. According to him, the Bukhara-Ural gas pipeline running from Uzbekistan through Kazakhstan to Russia is not suitable because of its deterioration.
He noted that the parties were assessing the costs required for the installation and repair of compressor stations in order to supply gas in reverse order.
When asked by Energy Intelligence if gas supplies to China were discussed during the visit of the Uzbek delegation to Beijing, the energy minister said: “We have contracts, and work is proceeding according to these contracts, as planned.”
Earlier in December Uzbekistan announced the suspension of gas supplies to China due to its shortage in the domestic market. Deliveries resumed only in April. Duering the meeting between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the parties noted that both countries would collaborate to ensure the stable operation of the China-Central Asia gas pipeline and supplies in accordance with the agreed plan.
