Market Trends of Uzbekistan Oil and Gas Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Uzbekistan Oil & Gas Market according to our research experts:
Upstream Sector is Likely to Dominate the Market
- Uzbekistan's upstream market includes the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas from its domestic fields in the Bukhara-Khiva region. Around 60% of the country's oil and gas get produced in the Bukhara-Khiva region.
- During 2021, crude oil production was nearly 2.7 million tonnes, a Y-O-Y decrease of around 0.03%. While natural gas production in 2021 was about 50.9 billion cubic meters, a Y-O-Y increase of about 8%.
- In July 2022, Kontiki-Exploration and Sanoat Energetika Guruhi discovered an ultra-viscous bitumen oil field in the Zerafshan depression, Uzbekistan. It is estimated that 100 million tons of bituminous oil reserves are present.
- Moreover, the country plans to sign three deals with large foreign companies to boost domestic natural gas production. Companies like BP Plc, Total SA, Azerbaijan's SOCAR, Russia's Rosneft, and Novatek are expected to participate in exploration and development agreements with the country.
- Thus, with the country's 50.9 billion cubic meters of proven natural gas production as of 2021 and foreign participation, the country's natural gas production is likely to increase and will boost the entire upstream sector during the coming years.
Increase in Investment in the Oil and Gas Industry to Drive the Market
- With an increase in demand for primary energy sources like natural gas, Uzbekistan is planning to increase investment to develop its existing oil and gas field and explore new domestic areas.
- In 2021, Uzbekistan exported nearly 14 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas to China, Russia, Kazakhstan, and a few other countries. Development in the existing fields is expected to boost production and increase export quantity and revenue input for the country.
- In 2021, Uzbekistan produced 53.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas. The government plans to grow the production to 66.1 billion cubic meters by 2030, and 56.5 bcm will be consumed by the domestic market.
- In 2019, the country announced its plans to invest around USD 33 billion by 2025 in the oil and gas industry. Nearly 30 new oil and gas projects will likely be implemented between 2019 and 2025.
- In 2021, the Uzbekistan government plans to complete 52 natural gas processing projects by 2025 worth USD 9 billion.
- For the further development of the oil and gas industry, it is planned to expand the exploration and production of hydrocarbons in the most promising areas like Bukhara-Khiva, Ustyurt, Surkhandarya, and Fergana sites during the forecast period.
- The government of Uzbekistan is also planning to invest USD 3.5 billion for geological exploration and USD 6.3 billion for increasing natural gas production between 2019 and 2030, which is likely to boost further the country's oil and gas market during the upcoming years.