Uzbekistan's state-owned oil and gas company, Uzbekneftgaz, has signed a contract with China's XIBU company, part of the CNPC national corporation, to drill 30 wells between 2026 and 2027. According to the company's press service, this agreement is being implemented as a result of negotiations conducted by Uzbekneftgaz Chairman Abdugani Sanginov with leading oil and gas companies during his official visit to China.
Under the agreement, 10 drilling rigs with a lifting capacity of up to 450 tons are planned to be delivered to Uzbekistan to carry out the drilling operations. The new wells will be drilled in areas deemed promising for natural gas reserves, with depths expected to exceed 5,500–6,000 meters. It has been noted that some wells have experienced high pressures of up to 1,000 atmospheres and temperatures of up to 200 degrees.
The company states that the project aims to ensure safe drilling in complex geological conditions, expand geological exploration work, and increase the country's gas reserves. Previously, the parties had discussed opportunities for long-term cooperation to drill a total of 105 wells in Uzbekistan from 2026 to 2029.
This contract is part of broader efforts by Uzbekistan to develop its oil and gas sector. On January 12, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on the future tasks and plans of Uzbekneftgaz, which included a series of specific instructions to ensure energy security, increase gas production volumes, and accelerate geological exploration work.
Deputy Minister of Mining Industry and Geology Orol Sa'dullayev announced that Uzbekneftgaz will be allocated at least 30 promising sites for geological exploration starting in 2026. In early February, Uzbekneftgaz discussed expanding cooperation with Chinese companies BGP, Yuhang, and CNPC in seismic exploration, drilling, and technologies, with plans for research in Mubarak and Ustyurt in 2026, 3D seismic surveys over an area of at least 6,500 sq km, and well drilling in collaboration with them.
Source: www.gazeta.uz