23 Jan 2023 16:34

Turkmenistan resumes exporting gas to Uzbekistan - Uztransgaz

TASHKENT. Jan 23 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan has resumed importing gas from Turkmenistan after supplies were stopped for technical reasons, the press service for Uztransgaz said on Monday.

"Gas supplies from Turkmenistan have gradually begun to be restored since January 21. Up to 12.6 million cubic meters of gas are currently being pumped per day from the Turkmen side," the press service said.

Supplies are expected to gradually increase to 16 mcm, it said.

The Uzbek Energy Ministry said earlier that Turkmenistan had halted exports of gas to Uzbekistan due to problems at gas facilities of state concern Turkmengaz. Hydrate formation on intrafield communications at the Galkynysh gas condensate field, the largest in the country, was named as the reason. According to specialists, this happens under extremely cold weather conditions and is a force majeure circumstance

"An emergency that occurred due to anomalous cold on January 12 at a natural gas field of a neighboring country has led to a full suspension of imports of natural gas and a 20% reduction in electricity imports," the Energy Ministry said.

Rolling blackouts have been introduced in the country due to freezing temperatures and a shortage of natural gas, with a shortage of up to 20 mcm per day observed in Uzbekistan during winter peaks.

A source in the Energy Ministry told Interfax earlier that Uzbekistan concluded a contract with Turkmenistan in December of last year to import an additional 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas during the winter. Daily supplies of gas have been increased from 15 mcm to 35 mcm as a result, covering the country's shortage. Daily imports of electricity from Turkmenenergo have also been increased, from 17-18 million kilowatt-hours to 20-21 kWh.

The gas production capacities in Uzbekistan allow for production of approximately 70 bcm of natural gas, but due to depleted reserves, processing losses, and a lack of efficient system oversight, supplies of hydrocarbons have fallen substantially over the past 15 years.