Central Asian States Eye Gas Growth
Two former Soviet republics, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in central Asia, have both announced plans for gas production growth and bright prospects in the absence of transparent official statistics.
Kazakh prime minister Askar Mamin announced September 26 that the country would produce 51bn m3 this year – down from last year but rising to 80bn m3 by 2027, local media reported.
Official statistics show that its gross gas production – including re-injection into all-important oil fields – stood at 55.5bn m3 in 2018 and BP estimated its sale gas production at 24.4bn m3.
Kazakhstan is the only central Asian state that publishes monthly energy reports, including gross gas production, but never gives the percentage that is sale gas. The country has signed several contracts over the last two years with foreign companies, including Russian Lukoil and Norwegian Equinor to study the Caspian.
Its neighbour Uzbekistan – which supplies gas to southern Kazakhstan – also expects more gas output, signing three contracts with international companies in 2019 with five more to come next year, state-run Uzbekneftegaz reported September 26. These are with UK BP, French Total, Azeri Socar and Russia’s Rosneft and Novatek.
Uzbekneftegaz which produces 42bn m3/yr of gas, aimed to prduce 4-5bn m³ more next year as well. Overall output is 63bn m³/yr.
Uzbekistan has stopped publishing energy statistics since 2013, while BP estimated its sale gas production at 56.6bn m3 in 2018, 6.1% more than 2017. Uzbekistan plans to invest $33bn in its oil and gas sectors during 2019-2025.
Banner picture shows Astana, Kazakhstan's new capital (credit: William Powell)