Azerbaijan’s SOCAR to begin oil exploration in Uzbekistan’s Ustyurt region

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was briefed on July 21 about ongoing cooperation with foreign partners in the oil and gas industry, as well as preparations for the upcoming autumn–winter season, the presidential press service reported.

As noted during the presentation, an agreement has been reached with SOCAR to carry out exploration and oil extraction in the Ustyurt fields. Joint geological exploration is also planned in other promising areas.

In addition to Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan is expanding cooperation with other foreign partners on developing complex fields, digitizing the energy sector, and training high-demand specialists.

The meeting also addressed preparations for the autumn–winter period. Officials reported that steps are being taken to ensure sufficient energy production, increase reserves in gas storage facilities, and deliver energy supplies in a balanced manner.

Notably, two combined-cycle gas turbines with a capacity of 1,065 MW are being installed at the Talimarjan thermal power plant, while a new 1,573 MW thermal power plant is under construction in the Syrdarya region. Together, these facilities will generate up to 20 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

Furthermore, new hydroelectric power plants with a total capacity of 162 MW will be commissioned this year in the Tashkent, Namangan, Kashkadarya, and Surkhandarya regions. These plants are expected to produce 648 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

In an interview with the “Uzbekistan 24” TV channel, Energy Minister Mirzamakhmudov said the documentation for the agreement with SOCAR is in its final stages, with the production sharing deal expected to be signed by the end of the week.

Bahodir Sidikov, head of Uzbekneftegaz, added that the draft agreement has already been prepared, key terms have been agreed upon with SOCAR, and the project has been submitted to the president.

For reference, SOCAR (State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic) was established in 1992. The company is involved in the exploration, extraction, processing, transportation, and sale of oil and gas.