Uzbekistan Cuts Gas Output but Boosts Exports by Over 50%

Uzbekistan extracted over 21.7 bln cubic metres of natural gas in the first half of 2025, according to data from the National Statistics Committee. This marks a 3.1% year-on-year decline in output.

Despite lower domestic production, gas exports surged by 50.5% to $355 mln. Meanwhile, imports dropped to $571.8 mln during the same period.

Last year, Uzbekneftegaz announced plans to stabilise domestic gas production. The strategy includes attracting foreign investment, drilling new wells and upgrading existing gas fields.

On the import side, Kazakhstan has indicated plans to increase the transit of Russian gas to Uzbekistan to 22 bn cubic metres annually.

In a move to support energy sector reforms and accelerate the country’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Uzbekistan has also approved a draft law introducing licensing for gas and non-ferrous metal trading.

Kursiv also reports that  Azerbaijan’s SOCAR aims to explore and extract oil in the Ustyurt region.